Toulouse ranks as the 23rd most congested city in France, according to the TomTom Traffic Index 2025. While not the worst in the country, traffic conditions are steadily worsening.
Is Toulouse traffic really getting worse? Yes, the average congestion level in the Toulouse metropolis rose to 33% in 2025, a one-point increase from 2024. This places the city in the second half of the national ranking, but signals a clear trend of increasing delays for commuters.
Lyon Leads the Way in French Traffic Woes
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Lyon currently holds the dubious distinction of being France’s most congested city, with an average congestion level of 47%. Drivers in Lyon lost 95 hours stuck in traffic throughout the year. Bordeaux (44% congestion, 78 hours lost) and Montpellier (41% congestion, 67 hours lost) follow closely behind.
Even Paris, despite a four-point improvement, remains highly congested at 40% and 86 hours lost, demonstrating that major metropolitan areas consistently experience the most significant traffic challenges.
Toulouse Rush Hour: A 10km Trip Takes 15 Minutes
While Toulouse’s congestion is lower than in these larger cities, it’s undeniably on the rise. On average, a 10-kilometer journey now takes almost 15 minutes—18 seconds longer than in 2024. The morning commute is particularly challenging.
Traveling 10 km during peak morning hours (presumably between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM) takes 19 minutes and 40 seconds, with a congestion level of 74.4% and an average speed of 30.5 km/h. The evening commute isn’t much better, clocking in at 20 minutes and 16 seconds for the same distance, with 77% congestion.
The most severe congestion of the year occurred on Thursday, November 6, when the congestion rate peaked at an exceptional 174%.
- Toulouse is the 23rd most congested city in France in 2025.
- Average congestion rose to 33%, up one point from 2024.
- A 10km trip now takes almost 15 minutes, 18 seconds longer than last year.
- The peak congestion day was November 6, with a rate of 174%.
Toulouse’s Congestion History
2019: Toulouse was already recognized as one of France’s most congested cities, ranking within the top 10 with high congestion rates and significant time lost in traffic.
2022: The city fell to around 21st place among French cities for congestion, lagging behind major metropolitan areas like Paris, Bordeaux, and Lyon.
2023: Toulouse remained in the second half of the ranking, experiencing less severe traffic than cities like Montpellier and Paris, but still far from being among the least congested.
2024: Toulouse was ranked 18th nationally for congestion, maintaining its intermediate position in the rankings.
2025: As reported, Toulouse now sits at 23rd place, with congestion levels continuing to increase year over year.
Also read: Broken road, traffic jams: in Toulouse, how long will the work continue on this major axis?
