Penang's George Town has been named the most congested city in Malaysia for 2024, according to the latest TomTom Traffic Index. The city recorded the highest traffic congestion level in the country, with an average driving time of 26 minutes and 36 seconds per 10 kilometers. On the global scale, George Town ranked 73rd for congestion.

Unexpectedly, Kota Bharu in Kelantan took the second spot, with motorists spending an average of 22 minutes and 30 seconds to travel every 10 kilometers. Ipoh, Perak, followed in third, with an average travel time of 21 minutes and 48 seconds per 10 kilometers. Surprisingly, Kuala Lumpur, often criticized for its heavy traffic, ranked 5th in Malaysia and 285th globally.

The TomTom Traffic Index analyzed traffic data from 500 cities across 62 countries, factoring in both static and dynamic elements. Static factors include fixed aspects like road networks and infrastructure, while dynamic factors refer to changing conditions such as seasonal traffic peaks. These elements combined help determine the congestion levels and travel times in urban areas.

The index also ranked the top eight most congested cities in Malaysia. Here are Malaysia’s top eight cities with the highest average travel times per 10 kilometers:

• George Town, Penang: 27 minutes
• Kota Bharu, Kelantan: 23 minutes
• Ipoh, Perak: 22 minutes
• Johor Bahru, Johor: 20 minutes
• Kuala Lumpur: 17 minutes
• Seberang Perai, Penang: 15 minutes
• Klang, Selangor: 13 minutes
• Kajang, Selangor: 13 minutes

Source: Tom Tom