Think you know Canada's worst city for traffic? Think again. It's not Toronto, and it's not Montreal. A shocking new report has flipped the script on what we thought we knew about congestion in the Great White North. But here's where it gets controversial: the city crowned Canada's traffic nightmare isn't even one of the country's largest.
If you've ever found yourself shouting at gridlock in Toronto, cursing construction in Montreal, or questioning your life choices while inching through Ottawa's downtown core, you're far from alone. Driving in Canada can feel like a never-ending battle, but TomTom's 2025 Traffic Index (https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/) has just revealed a surprising twist. This annual report, which analyzes real-world driving data from 492 cities worldwide, ranks cities based on average congestion, speeds, and rush-hour delays. And this year, the results are anything but expected.
TomTom's findings are based on a staggering 3.6 trillion kilometres of driving data collected globally last year. The index compares travel times during peak periods to free-flow conditions, pinpointing where delays are most severe. While thirteen Canadian cities made the global list, the bottom spots were claimed by Kitchener, Waterloo, and Hamilton, each boasting congestion levels under a manageable 30%.
Edmonton, Calgary, and London fell into the 30-40% congestion range, with Ottawa and Winnipeg slightly above. But the top five? That's where the real drama unfolds.
Here are Canada's top five most congested cities in 2025:
1. Vancouver
For the second year running, Vancouver takes the crown with a staggering 56.5% congestion level—the worst in Canada by a long shot. Drivers here lost 112 hours to traffic last year, and it's the only major Canadian city in the global top 50 for congestion. During peak times, a mere 10 km trip could take nearly 30 minutes, stretching to 35 minutes during the evening rush. The lack of major highways through the downtown core forces commuters onto slower local roads, exacerbating the issue. Globally, Vancouver ranks 45th, outpacing even notorious traffic hubs like London and New York.
2. Toronto
Despite slight improvements since 2024, Toronto still claims the second spot with a 47.7% congestion level. Drivers here lost 100 hours to traffic annually. Speeds have dropped, particularly on highways, where average rush-hour speeds plummeted to just 22.5 km/h.
3. Halifax
Halifax may not be Canada's largest city, but it's one of the slowest. With a 45% congestion level, drivers here spent 111 hours in rush-hour traffic in 2025—nearly as bad as Toronto, a city six times its size. Morning commute speeds dipped below 20 km/h, making it one of the country's slowest cities during peak hours.
4. Montreal
Montreal ties with Quebec City at a 41.3% congestion rate but falls behind with a slower average speed of 25.5 km/h. Drivers lost 89 hours to rush-hour gridlock, a slight worsening from 2024. Surprisingly, Canada's second-largest city, known for its ubiquitous orange traffic cones, didn't crack the top three.
5. Quebec City
Quebec City rounds out the top five with a 41.3% congestion level. While it boasts the highest average speed in the top five at 33 km/h, nearly half of all trips occur on highways, which wasn't enough to keep it out of the rankings. Drivers here lost 69 hours to traffic annually.
What's behind the gridlock?
TomTom's index uses anonymized GPS data to consider factors like road design, speed limits, traffic lights, accidents, construction, and weather. Cities with slower roads or no highways—like Vancouver, where 0% of trips occur on highways—naturally face longer delays. The data also reveals shifting traffic patterns, with peak hours spreading earlier into the afternoon and lasting longer into the evening. Hybrid work models have altered not just how, but when people drive.
And this is the part most people miss: While Canadian traffic can feel unbearable, it pales in comparison to global hotspots. Vancouver's 45th global ranking is still better than cities like Bangkok, Mumbai, and Los Angeles. Mexico City, the world's most congested city, saw drivers lose 184 hours to traffic last year. So, yes, it could be worse.
Still, if you're commuting in Vancouver, Toronto, or Halifax, you might want to stock up on podcasts. Or three.
Controversial question for you: Is Vancouver's traffic nightmare a result of poor urban planning, or is it simply the price of living in a thriving metropolis? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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