Navigating the Gridlock: The UK’s Traffic Hotspots

For drivers across the UK, getting stuck in traffic can be a real nuisance. Unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence in most cities across the country, and as a ​nation we spend an average of ​nine days per year commuting to work or school. So, when we hit traffic, it’s taking hours - or sometimes days - away from us.  

With this in mind, our latest research has looked into which UK cities see the worst traffic, taking into account factors such as what percent of the population commutes by car, the average distance per minute people tend to travel on their commute, and the traffic index of each city. We also looked at how many days we lose each year sitting in the car, commuting.

Our experts have also put together some top tips for staying calm while stuck in traffic, to help drivers and their loved ones stay safe on the roads.  

The UK's traffic hotspots

The worst areas for traffic in the UK 

​Swindon is ​​one of the worst traffic hotspots in the UK, which is perhaps unsurprising considering ​​86% of its residents commute by car - who in total, lose around ​11 full days per year sitting in the car, commuting. 

The city also has the fourth highest traffic index of all cities analysed, with a score of ​196 (​​Southend-on-Sea has the highest at ​226). ​Traffic indexes provide insights into the overall traffic conditions of a city, taking into account various factors such as commute time, dissatisfaction at being stuck in traffic, CO2 emissions, and overall traffic system inefficiencies.

With ​67% of the city’s population choosing to commute by car, ​Peterborough ranks as the ​second worst location in the UK for traffic. Residents in the city spend an average of ​12 days per year commuting, and is home to one of the highest traffic indexes, with a score of ​210.

In ​third place is ​​Bradford. A huge ​80% of residents commute by car, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the city’s roads get clogged up. Residents tend to spend around ​15 days a year commuting, and the city also has the second highest traffic index of all cities analysed, with a score of ​217.

Bedford and ​Huddersfield round off the list of top five worst traffic hotspots in the UK, spending an annual total of ​13 and ​14 days commuting, respectively .  

Best areas for traffic in the UK 

Dundee is ​one of the best locations for traffic in the UK, perhaps because only 29% of its residents travel by car. Drivers in the Scottish city only spend around​ four days commuting per year, and they also boast a very low traffic index, with a score of ​69, almost​ three times lower than that of Swindon.

In ​​second place is ​Blackpool, where only a quarter ​​(25%) of the population commutes by car - however, drivers in the city do spend around ​13 days commuting per year.  

​Colchester is in third place, boasting a traffic index score of just ​91. Just over a third ​(33%) of the city’s residents commute by car, and those that do​ spend just 3 days per week commuting – the lowest of all cities analysed.  

​Lancaster and ​Plymouth round off the top five cities with the best traffic conditions.