Adelaide Tops Australia 2025 Traffic Congestion List
New research identifies Adelaide as the most congested city, with local motorists losing 109 hours annually to delays.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
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Recent 2025 data from iSelect reveals that Adelaide motorists face the highest levels of traffic congestion in Australia. Drivers in the city now spend an average of 109 hours per year stuck in traffic.
Why it matters
Traffic congestion directly impacts daily productivity and quality of life for urban residents across the country. Understanding these commute patterns helps clarify the growing strain on major metropolitan infrastructure.
Adelaide recorded a congestion level of 55.1 percent in 2025, rising from 51.9 percent in 2024. A typical 10km journey in the city now takes over 30 minutes during the evening peak.
The players
iSelect
This Australian-based company provides comparison services for insurance, energy, and financial products.
The details
Researchers analysed traffic patterns across 11 Australian cities, finding that Wednesday is the most congested day of the week in six of them. Traffic consistently reaches its peak intensity at 5pm across the study group.
Timeline
2024 served as the comparison baseline year for congestion level tracking.
2025 is the period of the research findings regarding traffic delays.
Travel Outlook
This analysis tracks shifts in urban commuting patterns relative to the 2024 baseline. The findings reflect a broader trend of increasing congestion in major Australian centres that impacts regional travel efficiency.
Commuters should prepare for the evening peak at 5pm, which is identified as the busiest time for travel. Those travelling through Adelaide on Wednesdays should factor in extra time to account for peak congestion levels.
The takeaway
Commuters can mitigate the impact of rising delays by avoiding travel during the 5pm peak period when possible. Planning alternative routes for mid-week travel may also help reduce time spent in traffic.
Further reading
For more information on regional transport trends, visit our Australia and New Zealand section.
More information
Read more about the iSelect research about traffic on their official portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WhichCar | New Car Reviews, Prices and Buying Advice.
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