Traffic in Cairns

Cairns, a vibrant city in Australia, predominantly relies on cars for commuting, with a significant percentage of residents also choosing to walk or cycle.

In 2024, the city faces challenges with CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies, prompting discussions on sustainable transportation solutions.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 30.8 minutes of driving over a distance of 21.03 km.

  • Car - Car commuters spend about 37.67 minutes driving, covering 25.14 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters spend around 15 minutes covering a distance of 2 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
82%
Walking
9%
Bicycle
9%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 11 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
13.1 miles
Walking
1.4 mins
Driving Car
30.8 mins
Bicycle
0.4 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
32.5 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
15.6 miles
Driving Car
37.7 mins
Total:
37.7 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.2 miles
Walking
15.0 mins
Total:
15.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the tourist season, impacting commute times.

Rainy seasons may also affect road conditions, leading to potential delays.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transportation options make car travel a necessity for many.

Traffic congestion during peak hours can lead to longer commute times.

Best Travel Times

Traveling outside of peak hours, particularly early morning or late evening, can reduce commute times.

Weekends typically see less traffic, making them ideal for longer trips.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals can significantly increase traffic congestion in central areas.

Planning alternative routes during events can help avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Cairns is exploring initiatives to expand its cycling paths and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Efforts to increase electric vehicle charging stations are underway to support eco-friendly transportation.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible commuting options.

These services help reduce the number of cars on the road, potentially easing traffic congestion.

Worldwide
Australia

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for Australia combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Australia, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025