Montreal: motorists lose 63 hours per year in traffic

Montreal tops the list of Canada's most congested cities, with Montrealers losing 63 hours per year in rush hour traffic, according to a recent study by INRIX.

According to the ranking established by this institute, whose mission is to analyze traffic congestion in more than 1,300 cities around the world, Montreal ranks 28th in the world, dominated by Istanbul, Mexico City, and Chicago.

Unsurprisingly, with 59 hours and 46 hours lost in traffic respectively, Toronto (34th in the global ranking) and Vancouver (79th) complete the Canadian podium for traffic congestion.

Time lost in rush hour traffic jams increased by 9% in Montreal compared to last year, while Toronto and Vancouver saw slight increases of 3% and 6% respectively, according to the same study.

To establish this ranking, the INRIX report takes into account travel time between the city center or “major employment centers in an urban area” and residential neighborhoods.

Globally, drivers in Istanbul lost 118 hours in traffic jams in 2025, while those in Mexico City lost 10 hours and road users in Chicago had to wait 112 hours in traffic jams.

INRIX analyzes the economic cost of congestion and finds that, in addition to wasted time, traffic jams lead to additional fuel costs, delays in the delivery of goods, and environmental impacts.