Medellin, Colombia, showcases a diverse transportation landscape in 2024, with cars being the predominant mode of transport. The city faces challenges with traffic inefficiency and CO2 emissions, prompting a need for sustainable solutions.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 16.9 minutes of driving and 6.3 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 12.9 km.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 31.3 minutes on the bus and 4.5 minutes walking, with a total travel distance of 9.9 km.
  • Car - Car users drive for approximately 34.8 minutes and walk for 0.9 minutes, covering 17.7 km.
  • Train - Train commuters experience 29 minutes on the train and 3.2 minutes walking, with a journey distance of 11.6 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes take around 23.8 minutes, with additional time spent on other modes totaling 8.1 minutes, over 6.8 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
38%
Bus
22%
Walking
16%
Home
14%
Train
10%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the rainy season, affecting road conditions and commute times. Holiday seasons see a rise in traffic as residents travel for celebrations, impacting overall congestion.

Commuter Pain Points

Heavy reliance on cars leads to frequent traffic jams, especially during rush hours. Limited bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure restricts alternative commuting options.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 8 PM are optimal for avoiding heavy traffic. Midday travel between 11 AM and 2 PM can also offer smoother commutes.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals often lead to road closures and increased traffic in central areas. Planning routes in advance during events can help mitigate delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Medellin is investing in electric buses and expanding metro lines to promote sustainable transport. Community programs encourage carpooling and the use of public transport to reduce emissions.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have eased some congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road. However, they also contribute to traffic during peak times due to increased vehicle presence.

Worldwide
Colombia

Traffic Rankings

Medellin ranks 2nd on the Traffic rankings in Colombia. 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: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 50 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
8.0 miles
Walking
6.3 mins
Waiting
1.6 mins
Driving Car
16.9 mins
Bus / Trolley
9.4 mins
Train
4.5 mins
Total:
38.7 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
6.1 miles
Walking
4.5 mins
Waiting
3.1 mins
Bus / Trolley
31.3 mins
Train
0.3 mins
Total:
39.2 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
11.0 miles
Walking
0.9 mins
Driving Car
34.8 mins
Total:
35.7 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
7.2 miles
Walking
3.2 mins
Waiting
4.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
9.0 mins
Train
29.0 mins
Total:
45.2 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
4.2 miles
Walking
23.8 mins
Waiting
1.8 mins
Driving Car
8.1 mins
Bus / Trolley
1.9 mins
Train
5.6 mins
Total:
41.1 mins
Medellin Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Enhancing public transportation and promoting alternative commuting methods could reduce traffic congestion.

Implementing green initiatives is essential to lower CO2 emissions and improve urban air quality.

Key Indexes

Emissions

The CO2 emissions index is notably high at 4962.84, indicating significant environmental impact.

Efforts to reduce emissions are crucial for improving air quality in Medellin.

Time

The average commute time index is 38.7, reflecting moderate travel durations across the city.

Traffic congestion contributes to extended travel times, particularly during peak hours.

Inefficiency

The traffic inefficiency index stands at 160.46, highlighting challenges in the current transportation system.

Improving public transport and infrastructure could alleviate inefficiencies.