Traffic in Cali

Cali, Colombia, presents a diverse transportation landscape with cars being the predominant mode of travel, accounting for over half of all commutes.

Despite the reliance on cars, the city faces challenges with high CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies, prompting a need for sustainable solutions.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 24.38 minutes of driving, with minimal time spent on other modes.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 37.5 minutes on the bus, with a total commute time of 58 minutes including waiting.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of 38.5 minutes per commute.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 17.5 minutes, covering a distance of 1.75 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
53%
Home
16%
Walking
11%
Bus
11%
Motorcycle
11%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 19 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
6.9 miles
Walking
2.9 mins
Waiting
2.5 mins
Driving Car
24.4 mins
Bus / Trolley
4.7 mins
Total:
37.0 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
7.1 miles
Walking
0.5 mins
Waiting
20.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
37.5 mins
Total:
58.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
8.6 miles
Walking
1.0 mins
Driving Car
38.5 mins
Total:
39.5 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.1 miles
Walking
17.5 mins
Driving Car
2.5 mins
Total:
20.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the rainy season, affecting road conditions and commute times.

Holiday seasons see a rise in traffic congestion as residents travel for festivities.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses and traffic congestion are major concerns for commuters.

Limited public transport options lead to higher reliance on personal vehicles.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 8 PM are generally less congested.

Midday travel can also be more efficient, avoiding peak rush hours.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals can significantly disrupt traffic flow, necessitating alternative routes.

Sports events often lead to temporary road closures and increased congestion.

Sustainability Efforts

Cali is exploring the expansion of its bus rapid transit system to encourage public transport use.

Initiatives to increase green spaces and pedestrian-friendly areas are underway to promote sustainable commuting.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible travel options and reducing the need for personal car ownership.

These services help alleviate parking issues and can complement public transport systems.

Worldwide
Colombia

Traffic Rankings

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