Traffic in Wellington

Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, showcases a diverse range of transportation modes with a significant reliance on cars.

In 2024, Wellington's traffic data reveals insights into commuting patterns, average travel times, and environmental impacts.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 20.6 minutes of driving and 8.2 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 25.12 km.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 34 minutes on the bus, with additional walking time of 5.86 minutes, covering 12.49 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of 37.64 minutes, with a short walking time of 4.36 minutes, covering 35.46 km.
  • Train - Train commuters spend 23.33 minutes on the train and 7.33 minutes walking, covering a distance of 22 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 22.78 minutes, with a total distance of 3.28 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
49%
Walking
18%
Bus
14%
Home
8%
Train
6%
Motorcycle
4%
Bicycle
2%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 51 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
15.6 miles
Walking
8.2 mins
Waiting
0.7 mins
Driving Car
20.6 mins
Bus / Trolley
5.1 mins
Bicycle
0.6 mins
Motorcycle
1.9 mins
Train
1.5 mins
Other
0.2 mins
Total:
38.9 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
7.8 miles
Walking
5.9 mins
Waiting
5.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
34.0 mins
Other
1.4 mins
Total:
46.3 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
22.0 miles
Walking
4.4 mins
Driving Car
37.6 mins
Total:
42.0 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
13.7 miles
Walking
7.3 mins
Driving Car
3.3 mins
Train
23.3 mins
Total:
34.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.0 miles
Walking
22.8 mins
Driving Car
1.9 mins
Bicycle
1.1 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
25.8 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the summer months as tourists visit Wellington.

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

Commuter Pain Points

Car commuters face significant delays during peak hours, leading to longer travel times.

Limited parking availability in the city center adds to commuter stress.

Best Travel Times

Traveling before 7 AM or after 7 PM can help avoid peak traffic congestion.

Midday travel is generally smoother for those using public transport.

Event Impacts

Major events at the Wellington Stadium can cause temporary spikes in traffic congestion.

Public holidays and festivals often lead to increased public transport usage.

Sustainability Efforts

Wellington is investing in electric buses to reduce emissions from public transport.

The city promotes cycling and walking through improved infrastructure and safety measures.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of private cars on the road.

These services provide flexible commuting options, especially during off-peak hours.

Worldwide
New Zealand

Traffic Rankings

Wellington ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in New Zealand.
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