Rio de Janeiro, a bustling metropolis in Brazil, faces unique transportation challenges with a diverse mix of commuting methods. In 2024, cars remain the dominant mode of transport, but buses and trains also play significant roles in daily commutes.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Rio de Janeiro is approximately 51.84 minutes, with significant time spent driving and waiting.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend around 45.09 minutes on the bus, with additional time waiting and walking.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of about 49.5 minutes, with minimal walking involved.
  • Train - Train commuters spend approximately 26.68 minutes on the train, with additional time walking and waiting.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 16.4 minutes, with some time spent on public transport.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
39%
Bus
34%
Train
14%
Walking
7%
Home
4%
Bicycle
1%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the summer months as tourists flock to the city. The rainy season can lead to delays and increased travel times due to road conditions.

Commuter Pain Points

High traffic congestion during peak hours leads to extended commute times. Limited availability of efficient public transport options in certain areas.

Best Travel Times

Traveling outside of peak hours, such as early morning or late evening, can help avoid congestion. Weekends generally see lighter traffic, making them ideal for travel within the city.

Event Impacts

Major events like Carnival significantly impact traffic, with road closures and increased congestion. Sporting events and concerts can lead to localized traffic spikes around venues.

Sustainability Efforts

The city is investing in expanding its metro network to provide more sustainable transport options. Initiatives to promote cycling and walking are being implemented to reduce reliance on cars.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of private cars on the road. These services offer flexible transport options, particularly in areas underserved by public transport.

Worldwide
Brazil

Traffic Rankings

Rio de Janeiro ranks 2nd on the Traffic rankings in Brazil. 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: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 137 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
10.8 miles
Walking
5.4 mins
Waiting
3.6 mins
Driving Car
20.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
16.2 mins
Bicycle
0.5 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Train
5.0 mins
Other
0.6 mins
Total:
51.8 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
11.3 miles
Walking
7.5 mins
Waiting
8.2 mins
Bus / Trolley
45.1 mins
Train
2.2 mins
Other
1.7 mins
Total:
64.6 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
13.5 miles
Walking
0.9 mins
Driving Car
49.5 mins
Total:
50.4 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
7.0 miles
Walking
7.8 mins
Waiting
4.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
2.1 mins
Train
26.7 mins
Other
0.1 mins
Total:
40.7 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.9 miles
Walking
16.4 mins
Waiting
1.6 mins
Driving Car
1.7 mins
Bus / Trolley
1.0 mins
Train
5.4 mins
Total:
26.1 mins
Rio de Janeiro Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Promoting the use of public transport and non-motorized modes could help reduce CO2 emissions.

Improving the efficiency of bus and train services can significantly cut down commute times.

Key Indexes

Emissions

The CO2 emissions index is notably high at 6223.97, indicating significant environmental impact.

Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting public transport and reducing car usage.

Time

The average time index is 51.84, reflecting the lengthy commutes faced by residents.

Improving public transport efficiency could help reduce commute times.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 243.26, highlighting areas for potential improvement in traffic flow.

Addressing bottlenecks and optimizing traffic signals could alleviate inefficiencies.