Montreal highest traffic delays in Canada: 63 hours lost per driver each year
Posted December 5, 2025 12:05 pm.
A recent INRIX analysis reveals that Montreal experiences the worst traffic congestion in the country. According to the study, people who drive in the city lose an average of 63 hours annually during peak travel periods.
INRIX, which evaluates congestion patterns in over 1,300 urban areas worldwide, ranks Montreal 28th on the global list.
The top three most congested cities internationally are Istanbul, Mexico City, and Chicago.
Toronto and Vancouver follow Montreal within Canada’s congestion standings. Drivers in Toronto lose 59 hours a year, placing the city 34th worldwide, while those in Vancouver spend 46 hours in traffic, earning it the 79th spot.
Compared with last year’s results, Montreal’s time wasted in rush-hour traffic has climbed by 9 per cent. Toronto recorded a smaller rise of 3 per cent, and Vancouver saw a 6 per cent increase.
For its global comparisons, INRIX measures the time required to travel between downtown areas, or major employment hubs, and surrounding neighborhoods.
On the world stage, Istanbul drivers faced 118 hours of delays in 2025. Motorists in Mexico City encountered 112 hours, and those in Chicago experienced 108 hours of congestion.
The report also notes that traffic problems come with substantial financial and environmental costs, including extra fuel consumption, slower delivery times for goods, and the broader impacts associated with prolonged delays.
