Cologne tops Germany in traffic jams, drivers lose 67 hours a year

An Inrix analysis identifies Cologne as Germany’s most congested city, where drivers spend an average of 67 hours per year stuck in traffic – a 20% increase over the previous year and four hours more than Düsseldorf, the former leader. Worldwide, Istanbul remains the worst‑affected city with 118 hours of delay annually.

Physicist Michael Schreckenberg explains that many jams arise from “overload” effects, where a single driver’s brief braking triggers a chain reaction that creates a stop‑and‑go wave even without a visible obstacle. Additional factors such as construction, accidents and weather also contribute to the chronic congestion.

The longest recorded traffic standstill in Germany occurred on the A61 between Ludwigshafen and Mönchengladbach on 18 January 2024, stretching up to 77 km, according to ADAC. Experts advise against attempting detours, as alternative routes often become equally clogged.