These are the most stressful cities to drive in in Europe (and why)

The driving experience is not the same everywhere. In many cities, what should be a normal commute turns into a tedious process, with heavy traffic, slow speeds, and hours wasted on the road.

A new analysis of major cities in Europe, the US and Australia shows where driving is most stressful, taking into account factors such as traffic congestion, average speed, time lost in rush hour, vehicle density, road quality and road safety.

The study was conducted by Compare the Market, which analyzed data from major cities on three continents to identify areas where daily driving becomes more difficult.

The rating was based on several key indicators, which were converted into a common scale and then combined into a final score out of 100. This created a clear ranking of cities from the most stressful to the most relaxing for drivers.

The most stressful city in Europe

Dublin tops the list in Europe, with the highest levels of traffic congestion. Congestion reaches 72.9%, while the average speed drops to just 17.4 km/h.

Drivers in this city lose an estimated 191 hours a year in rush-hour traffic, a figure that clearly shows the daily pressure on the roads. Heavy traffic and constant delays make even a short distance require considerable time and patience.

Bucharest ranks second, with an overload rate exceeding 60% and an average speed of under 20 km/h. Drivers there lose about 171 hours a year in traffic, while the situation is aggravated by infrastructure and high vehicle flow.

What about outside Europe?

In the United States, the most stressful city to drive in is Nashville, where traffic congestion reaches 38.1% and rush hour commutes cost drivers about 57 hours a year.

While in Australia, the most problematic region is South Australia, with an overall index of 65.15 and about 109 hours lost each year in traffic.

The most "calm" city 

At the other end of the list, Oslo is the least stressful city for drivers in Europe. With more manageable traffic and only about 70 hours lost per year, it represents a more balanced model of urban mobility.