TomTom Reports a 5-Point Increase in Global Traffic Congestion by 2025

Global Congestion Rankings and U.S. Position

According to TomTom, the United States ranks 54th globally in terms of road congestion, with an average level of 19% in 2025. This contrasts with other major economies: Colombia leads with nearly 50% congestion, Japan is 9th with 34%, the United Kingdom 23rd with 27%, and France 48th with 20%. The group notes that this relatively low national level is due to the scale and capacity of the American road network, higher average travel speeds, and the population density and urbanization of other countries. Los Angeles records the highest congestion rate in the country at nearly 60%, followed by Honolulu and San Francisco. Atlanta shows the largest increase among the top ten cities with a four percentage point increase, while New York remained stable and Boston decreased by three points. Overall, Americans experienced a four-point increase in congestion compared to 2024.

Impact of Urban Tolling in New York

Although the overall congestion level in New York remained stable compared to 2024, the first year of urban toll implementation has yielded measurable improvements on major traffic arteries, according to the company. Major roads saw a four percentage point decrease in congestion over one year, with significant reductions in Brooklyn (10 points) and Jersey City (8 points), while northern Manhattan recorded a six-point increase. Peak traffic improved in late morning (six points) and afternoon (nine points). The performance of bridges overall improved across the city, with a four-point decrease in congestion, led by the Williamsburg Bridge (22-point improvement), Manhattan Bridge (11 points), and Lincoln Tunnel (8 points). The New York City Department of Transportation reported that safety outcomes in the toll area have significantly improved: accidents decreased by 14%, injuries fell by 15%, and pedestrian deaths reached their lowest level since 2018.

Shifts in Travel Patterns in 2025

The analysis reveals that travel habits in 2025 have undergone a significant reshaping in their temporal distribution. Morning traffic shifted from a traditional peak from 7 AM to 9 AM to a more spread-out pattern, with slightly lower congestion between 7 AM and 8 AM and overflow in late morning. Midday and early afternoon traffic (11 AM to 3 PM) is significantly higher than in 2019. Evening travel patterns have also changed: instead of a sharp peak at 5 PM, congestion started accumulating earlier (3 PM to 4 PM) and remained high until 6 PM. The group notes that Tuesday through Thursday have become the dominant travel days, while Monday has almost returned to pre-Covid levels and Friday volumes have dropped. Additionally, climate disasters are increasingly affecting American road networks. The U.S. Department of Transportation projects that up to $20 billion annually will be allocated to damages to paved roads by 2030 due to heat, heavy rains, and coastal flooding, TomTom indicates. The December 2025 floods in San Bernardino slowed highway speeds by 19% at Wrightwood and reduced local road speeds by 22% at Lytle Creek. The December atmospheric river in the Pacific Northwest closed over 300 roads and increased congestion by 19% in parts of Seattle.