Traffic on Dutch roads was disrupted for a distance of 1.2 million kilometers in 2025
Drivers in the Netherlands spent about 1.2 million kilometers stuck in traffic jams in 2025, roughly equal to circling the Earth 31 times, according to an analysis by ANP based on data from Rijkswaterstaat (Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management).
The total number of traffic jams increased slightly compared with 2024. More than 450,000 congestion incidents were recorded throughout the year, and when combined, the delays amounted to the equivalent of twelve years spent in traffic. The busiest routes were between Den Bosch and Utrecht and between Utrecht and Den Haag (The Hague).
On average, a traffic jam lasted about 14 minutes, nearly the same as the previous year. Congestion was particularly severe on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On those days, slow-moving traffic stretched for approximately 260,000 and 270,000 kilometers respectively, making them the most difficult days for commuters.
Rush-hour traffic remained the main cause of congestion. Around 70 percent of all traffic jams in 2025 were linked to peak commuting times, with drivers stuck in more than 850,000 kilometers of traffic because of heavy demand on the roads. Roadwork caused slightly more than 3 percent of the delays, while accidents accounted for around 1 percent.
April recorded the highest number of traffic jams during the year. More than 53,000 incidents occurred that month alone, covering about 140,000 kilometers of congestion. The worst day was April 17, when drivers collectively lost 760 hours in delays, equal to nearly 10,000 kilometers of stationary traffic.
According to ANWB (Algemene Nederlandse Wielrijdersbond – Dutch motorists’ association), traffic levels rose significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization explained that many people shifted from public transportation to private cars during the pandemic period, leading to a lasting increase in the number of vehicles on Dutch roads.