Traffic in Cambridge

Cambridge, UK, is a city known for its vibrant cycling culture and efficient transportation system.

In 2024, the city continues to see a significant percentage of its population commuting by bicycle and car, with walking also being a popular choice.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves about 20.45 minutes of driving and 5.41 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 13.82 km.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend around 25 minutes on the bus and 10 minutes walking, covering a distance of 5 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of approximately 45.67 minutes, with minimal walking, covering 27.08 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 23.33 minutes, with a total distance of 3.25 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
41%
Bicycle
31%
Walking
21%
Bus
3%
Home
3%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 30 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
8.6 miles
Walking
5.4 mins
Waiting
0.7 mins
Driving Car
20.4 mins
Bus / Trolley
0.9 mins
Bicycle
7.4 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Other
1.9 mins
Total:
36.7 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
3.1 miles
Walking
10.0 mins
Waiting
20.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
25.0 mins
Total:
55.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
16.8 miles
Walking
0.6 mins
Driving Car
45.7 mins
Total:
46.3 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.0 miles
Walking
23.3 mins
Driving Car
7.5 mins
Bicycle
3.7 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
34.5 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the university term times, with more students commuting.

Summer months see a rise in cycling, as the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities.

Commuter Pain Points

Traffic congestion during peak hours can lead to delays, especially for car commuters.

Limited bus frequency can be a challenge for those relying on public transport.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 8 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid traffic congestion.

Cycling is most efficient during daylight hours, avoiding peak traffic times.

Event Impacts

Major events at the University of Cambridge can significantly impact traffic, leading to increased congestion.

Public festivals and events in the city center often require road closures and diversions.

Sustainability Efforts

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

The city is also enhancing its public transport network to reduce reliance on cars.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, contributing to lower congestion.

These services provide flexible commuting options, especially for those without access to personal vehicles.

Worldwide
United Kingdom

Traffic Rankings

Cambridge ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in United Kingdom.
The Traffic Index for United Kingdom combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in United Kingdom, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025
Full Traffic Rankings