Mexico City has been ranked as the city with the worst traffic congestion in the world in 2026, according to the latest TomTom Traffic Index. Two Indian cities, Bengaluru and Pune, have also featured among the 10 most congested cities globally, highlighting the growing challenges faced by urban transport networks. Mumbai, often associated with heavy traffic, did not make the list. The rankings compare traffic conditions across cities using average travel speeds and congestion-related data.

Mexico City secured the first position, with commuters travelling an average distance of 4.4 kilometres in 15 minutes. The city's large population, high dependence on road transport and growing vehicle numbers contribute to congestion on major roads, particularly during peak commuting hours. Rapid urban expansion has also placed pressure on existing infrastructure, making daily journeys slower for residents and people travelling into the city for work.

Bengaluru ranked second globally, making it the highest-placed Indian city on the list. According to the reported figures, commuters in the Karnataka capital cover an average of 4.2 kilometres in 15 minutes. The city's expanding technology sector, growing population and increasing number of private vehicles have added pressure to its road network. Traffic congestion remains a concern on major routes connecting residential neighbourhoods with technology parks and commercial districts.

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Pune ranked fifth, becoming the second Indian city to feature among the 10 most congested urban centres. Commuters in the Maharashtra city travel an average of 4.5 kilometres in 15 minutes, according to the reported index figures. Pune's growth as an information technology, education and manufacturing hub has increased daily travel demand. The expansion of residential areas and employment centres has added to pressure on roads, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.

Dublin in Ireland occupied third place, followed by Lodz in Poland in fourth position. Lublin, another Polish city, ranked sixth, while Bogota in Colombia came seventh. Arequipa and Lima in Peru secured eighth and ninth positions, respectively, with Bangkok in Thailand completing the top 10. The list demonstrates that congestion is not confined to the world's largest megacities, as smaller urban centres can also experience significant delays when road capacity struggles to accommodate daily travel demand.

The findings underline the importance of improving public transport, coordinating urban development and managing growing vehicle numbers. In Indian cities such as Bengaluru and Pune, expanding reliable mass transit and improving connections between residential and employment areas could help reduce dependence on private vehicles. However, traffic rankings depend on the methodology and reporting period used, and average travel distances alone do not capture every aspect of commuters' experiences. The latest figures nevertheless place both Indian cities among the world's most congested urban centres in 2026.

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