The Traffic Index 2025, published by the Institute for Visionary Cities, provides an updated picture of urban mobility in Romania, analyzing the situation in county seat municipalities and in the Capital. The study highlights significant changes in traffic patterns, notable differences between cities, and the effects of congestion on quality of life.

Lunchtime, the new traffic peak in cities

According to the analysis, the classic “rush hour” model has shifted. While mornings and evenings were traditionally the busiest times of day, lunchtime has now become the critical moment. Between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., traffic slows significantly in many cities, due to flexible working hours, fragmented daily activities, as well as increased delivery volumes and ride-hailing services.

“Data we analyzed shows that lunchtime is the new traffic peak. In many cities, the lowest speeds are no longer recorded at 8:00 or 5:00 p.m., but between 11:00 and 2:00. (...) If lunchtime is the critical moment, then mobility measures must also be calibrated for this interval,” said Florian Filat, executive director of the Institute for Visionary Cities and project manager of City Index.

Cities with the smoothest traffic and the most congested areas

The Index shows that smaller cities lead the way in efficient mobility. Reșița, Giurgiu, and Călărași are the places where drivers lose only 3–3.5 workdays annually due to congestion. In contrast, Bucharest continues to be the most affected city in Romania: a typical driver wastes over 12 workdays a year in traffic, the equivalent of more than half of the legal annual leave.

Timișoara and Iași also exceed the threshold of nine days lost annually, while Cluj-Napoca dropped seven positions compared to last year, entering the red zone of the ranking. On the other hand, Brăila and Galați, although they each have more than 150,000 residents, manage to remain in the green zone, with only moderate congestion levels.

Spectacular jumps and explanations from authorities

Reșița consolidated its leadership, climbing six places compared to 2024. Mayor Ioan Popa explained the result through major infrastructure investments: “The completion of the tram line works and the resumption of tram circulation have reduced the pressure on personal cars. The modernization of the main arteries has streamlined traffic on essential routes.”

Oradea climbed 17 positions, progress attributed to infrastructure projects. “The fluidization of traffic in Oradea is the result of major investments – the opening of eight underpasses, the widening of Calea Aradului boulevard, the implementation of intelligent traffic lights, and the connection of the bypass to the A3 highway,” said Sebastian Marchiș, director of the Technical Department at Oradea City Hall.

The impact of congestion and the call for integrated solutions

Experts stress that congestion should not only be seen as a speed problem but also as lost personal time. “The impact of congestion is not only measured in kilometers per hour but also in life days lost annually due to traffic. That means less time with family and less personal freedom,” emphasized Florian Filat.

Mihai Iacovici, representative of the Intercommunity Development Association – Bucharest Metropolitan Area, added: “This data highlights the limits of the current traffic model and emphasizes the need for an integrated approach, centered on people and sustainable mobility.”

How the study was conducted

The Traffic Index 2025 was based on data collected between March and June 2025, Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For comparison, researchers used the average speed recorded on Sunday mornings between 7:00 and 8:00, when traffic is at its lowest. In total, the analysis included over 600,000 real-time observations, sourced from Google Maps, covering about 90 km of road network per city or district.

The Index is part of City Index 2025, the annual urban performance barometer of the Institute for Visionary Cities, which measures 51 indicators defining the quality, prosperity, and vibrancy of Romanian cities. The full results will be published at the end of October 2025.

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