Traffic in Natal

In 2024, Natal's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with a significant 81.82% of commuters relying on this mode.

Despite the high car dependency, walking and bus usage still play a role, each accounting for 9.09% of the commuting methods.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 18.27 minutes of driving and 2.82 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 9.59 km.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 15 minutes on the bus and 5 minutes walking, with a total waiting time of 10 minutes.
  • Car - Car users experience an average driving time of 21.44 minutes and a short walking time of 1.22 minutes, over a distance of 11.11 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 15 minutes of walking and 8 minutes of driving, covering 3 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
82%
Walking
9%
Bus
9%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 11 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
6.0 miles
Walking
2.8 mins
Waiting
0.9 mins
Driving Car
18.3 mins
Bus / Trolley
1.4 mins
Total:
23.4 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
1.6 miles
Walking
5.0 mins
Waiting
10.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
15.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
6.9 miles
Walking
1.2 mins
Driving Car
21.4 mins
Total:
22.7 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.9 miles
Walking
15.0 mins
Driving Car
8.0 mins
Total:
23.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists flock to Natal's beaches.

The rainy season can cause delays due to waterlogged roads and increased accidents.

Commuter Pain Points

High dependency on cars leads to congestion, especially during peak hours.

Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-car owners to commute efficiently.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid heavy traffic.

Midday travel between 11 AM and 2 PM is generally smoother with less congestion.

Event Impacts

Major events like the Carnatal festival significantly impact traffic, causing road closures and diversions.

Sporting events at the Arena das Dunas can lead to increased congestion in surrounding areas.

Sustainability Efforts

Natal is exploring initiatives to expand bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to promote eco-friendly commuting.

The city is investing in electric buses to reduce the carbon footprint of public transportation.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of private cars on the road, easing congestion slightly.

However, the increased use of ride-sharing can contribute to traffic during peak hours if not managed properly.

Worldwide
Brazil

Traffic Rankings

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