Traffic delays in Dubai cost drivers close to four days of their time in 2025, according to new data that points to worsening congestion across the emirate. The TomTom Traffic Index found that motorists spent a total of 72 hours stuck in traffic last year—an increase of 6.23 hours compared with 2024.
The rise in delays coincided with longer travel times for everyday journeys. A standard 10-kilometre drive took an average of 19.1 minutes in 2025, up from 13.7 minutes the year before, reflecting heavier road use as Dubai’s population continued to grow.
Traffic conditions during peak periods also deteriorated. Average rush-hour speeds fell to 26.3km/h, about one kilometre per hour slower than in 2024. As a result, drivers covered less ground within short time frames, travelling an average of 7.8 kilometres in 15 minutes—slightly down from the previous year.
Congestion was also evident on major highways, where average speeds declined to 70.5km/h, a drop of 2.1km/h year on year. The slowdown came as Dubai’s population crossed four million for the first time in 2025, contributing to a higher volume of vehicles on the road.
Beyond locally registered cars, daily inflows of motorists from neighbouring emirates such as Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi continued to add pressure to Dubai’s road network, particularly during commuting hours.
Vehicle figures released by toll gate operator Salik showed that by the end of the third quarter of 2025, there were 4.65 million registered active vehicles, up from 4.56 million at the end of the second quarter, underscoring the steady rise in traffic across the UAE.
To address the growing congestion, the Roads and Transport Authority has invested billions of dirhams in road upgrades and capacity expansion. Projects completed or opened last year included two new bridges at the World Trade Centre Roundabout, additional lanes on Al Hessa Street, an expanded bridge serving Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1, a new bridge linking to Mall of the Emirates, and the completion of a major stretch of Emirates Road.
The TomTom report identified November 11 as the most congested day of 2025, when average congestion levels reached 73 per cent throughout the day and surged to 168 per cent at around 5pm. On that day, motorists needed an average of 15 minutes to travel just four kilometres.
Traffic patterns also showed that evening commutes were significantly slower than morning travel. Covering 10 kilometres took an average of 18.4 minutes in the morning, compared with 26.3 minutes in the evening, with average speeds dropping from 32.1km/h earlier in the day to 22.6km/h during the evening rush hour.
