Traffic in Dunedin

In 2024, Dunedin's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with a significant portion of the population also using motorcycles and bicycles.

The city's average commute times reflect a relatively efficient system, though there are areas for improvement in terms of emissions and traffic inefficiency.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 14.08 minutes of driving and 4.5 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 18.22 km.

  • Car - Car commuters spend approximately 21.13 minutes driving and 2.75 minutes walking, with a total distance of 25.26 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 30 minutes, covering a distance of 4 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
67%
Motorcycle
17%
Walking
8%
Bicycle
8%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 12 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
11.3 miles
Walking
4.5 mins
Driving Car
14.1 mins
Bicycle
1.3 mins
Motorcycle
1.7 mins
Total:
21.5 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
15.7 miles
Walking
2.8 mins
Driving Car
21.1 mins
Total:
23.9 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.5 miles
Walking
30.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists visit the city, leading to longer commute times.

Winter months see a slight decrease in bicycle usage due to colder weather conditions.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transport options can make commuting challenging for those without access to a car.

Traffic congestion during peak hours can lead to delays, particularly in the city center.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 8 AM and late evenings after 6 PM are generally the best times to avoid traffic congestion.

Midday travel is also relatively smooth, with fewer delays.

Event Impacts

Public events, such as sports games and festivals, can significantly impact traffic, causing road closures and increased congestion.

Residents are advised to plan alternative routes during major events to avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Dunedin is investing in expanding its cycling infrastructure to promote sustainable commuting.

The city is also exploring electric public transport options to reduce emissions.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, particularly during peak hours.

These services offer a flexible alternative to traditional public transport, contributing to reduced traffic congestion.

Worldwide
New Zealand

Traffic Rankings

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