Sydney drivers save millions of hours with toll roads

Sydney’s traffic congestion is a daily struggle, but new data shows that toll roads are saving drivers massive amounts of time.

Sydney’s traffic: A city of congestion and toll road shortcuts – Sydney’s roads are often clogged, especially during peak hours, with the Harbour Bridge (photo), M5, and Parramatta Road among the worst bottlenecks. While toll roads like WestConnex and NorthConnex offer faster routes, they come at a price, forcing many drivers onto slower, toll-free alternatives. Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ, Flickr Public domain

A new feature from Linkt now reveals exactly how much faster your commute can be – with some motorists saving up to 60 minutes every day.

Sydney's motorists are experiencing significant reductions in travel times, thanks to the city's extensive toll road network. This is according to The Daily Telegraph. Recent data from Linkt, a Transurban-owned e-Tag brand, reveals that drivers collectively saved two million hours this month by opting for tolled routes. This development comes as a boon in a city where traffic congestion has long been a challenge.

Linkt's new feature highlights time savings

Linkt has introduced a travel time savings feature within its app, allowing users to visualize the time benefits of using toll roads. An analysis of anonymized data from 800,000 customers indicates that 82% saved at least 20 minutes on their trips, while 51% saved at least 60 minutes this month. Transurban CEO Michelle Jablko emphasized the feature's value, stating it helps customers understand the positive impact on their daily commutes.

Impact of major infrastructure projects

The progressive opening of WestConnex has notably improved travel times. For instance, journeys from Parramatta to the Domestic Airport during morning peak hours have seen a 58% reduction in travel time. Similarly, trips from Penrith to the Central Business District now take approximately 41 minutes, a significant decrease from previous durations.

Moreover, the WestConnex and NorthConnex tunnels have collectively reduced overall network travel times by 4%, benefiting both tolled and non-tolled road users. A commuter traveling from Parramatta to Rozelle during rush hour now spends about 19 minutes on the road, down from 58 minutes—a yearly saving of nearly 300 hours.

Broader traffic context

Despite these improvements, Sydney's traffic congestion remains a concern. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, the average speed during morning rush hours is 23 km/h, with a 10 km trip taking approximately 26 minutes. Evening rush hours are similar, with an average speed of 22 km/h.

Comparatively, Melbourne has been identified as Australia's most congested city, with commuters spending 92 hours per year in traffic. In contrast, Sydney drivers spend about 10% less time in congestion, taking 22 minutes to drive 10 km.

Financial considerations

The New South Wales government's $60 toll cap, introduced last year, has refunded over $75 million to motorists, with $140 million still unclaimed. However, this cap is set to expire at the end of the year. Toll companies hope that features like Linkt's time savings display will encourage continued use of toll roads by highlighting their value in reducing commute times.

Tourist impact on traffic

Bondi Beach traffic: Sun, surf, and gridlock – With up to 40,000 visitors on peak summer days, Bondi Beach is a magnet for tourists and locals alike. The roads leading to Bondi, especially Bondi Road and Campbell Parade, become heavily congested, with parking nearly impossible to find. Buses offer an alternative, but they, too, get caught in the traffic jams. Photo: Jimmy Harris, Flickr CC BY 2.0

Tourist visits in Sydney do also have an impact on traffic, especially in peak travel seasons.

Key factors include:

Increased congestion in tourist hotspots – Areas like the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, and Darling Harbour see higher vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Airport and rental car demand – Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport experiences a surge in arrivals, increasing traffic on major roads like the M1 and M5.
Public transport strain – More tourists mean fuller trains, buses, and ferries, sometimes leading to increased road use by locals avoiding crowded public transport.
Event-driven surges – Major events like Vivid Sydney and New Year's Eve bring thousands of visitors, causing temporary gridlock.

Many tourists rely on public transport, and Sydney’s toll roads help divert some congestion away from the city center.

Peak tourist seasons & traffic impact

Sydney’s traffic fluctuates based on tourism seasons and major events, with certain times of the year seeing significant congestion spikes.

Here’s how different periods impact the city’s roads:

Summer (December–February)
Tourists flock to beaches like Bondi and Manly, leading to heavy congestion on coastal roads, especially during weekends.
The holiday season, including Christmas and New Year’s, causes gridlock in the CBD, Circular Quay, and Harbour Bridge approaches.
Sydney Airport experiences its busiest period, affecting the M1, M5, and nearby roads.
Autumn (March–May)
Fewer tourists than summer, but events like Mardi Gras (March) and Easter school holidays cause temporary surges in traffic.
More locals return to commuting, bringing congestion back to usual weekday levels.
Winter (June–August)
Lower tourist numbers mean less congestion in some areas, but major events like Vivid Sydney (June) draw crowds, especially at night.
Sydney Airport remains busy with travelers heading to ski resorts, causing occasional delays on major routes.
Spring (September–November)
Warmer weather brings more domestic tourists and weekend day-trippers, increasing traffic on roads leading to national parks and beaches.
Events like the Sydney Marathon (September) cause temporary road closures and diversions.

Events that worsen traffic

New Year’s Eve & Australia Day (January 26) → CBD gridlock, heavy delays around Harbour Bridge & Circular Quay.
Vivid Sydney (June) → Major congestion at night, especially in The Rocks & Darling Harbour.
Sydney Royal Easter Show (March–April) → Traffic spikes around Sydney Olympic Park.
City2Surf (August) & Sydney Marathon (September) → Road closures impact Eastern Suburbs and CBD.

How Sydney manages tourist traffic

Toll Roads: Many tourists use rental cars but avoid tolls, which keeps them on slower surface roads, adding to congestion.
Public Transport Promotion: Special event buses, ferries, and trains help manage crowds during peak events.
Traffic Diversions & Closures: Authorities reroute traffic during major events, but this can lead to bottlenecks elsewhere.

Best ways to avoid traffic in Sydney

If you’re visiting Sydney and want to avoid traffic congestion, here are some key strategies and alternative routes to make your trip smoother.

Use public transport whenever possible

Sydney has an extensive public transport system that can help you avoid peak-hour traffic:

Trains: The Sydney Metro and CityRail network are the fastest way to get around, especially for reaching the CBD, North Sydney, and Western Suburbs.
Ferries: A scenic and stress-free way to travel to places like Manly, Darling Harbour, and Taronga Zoo.
Buses & Light Rail: Ideal for shorter distances or areas not covered by trains. Just be aware that buses can get stuck in traffic during peak hours.

Avoid driving during peak hours

Sydney's traffic is worst during these times:

Morning peak: 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Evening peak: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Weekends: Saturday midday traffic can be heavy, especially towards beaches and shopping areas.

If you must drive, plan your trips outside these times for a much smoother ride.

Choose alternative routes

Avoid the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Tunnel – These are major congestion points during rush hours. Use the Gladesville Bridge or Anzac Bridge instead.
Bypass the CBD – If you're traveling north to south, consider using the M2 or M7 motorways instead of going through the city center.
Take the Toll Roads – While they cost money, Sydney’s toll roads (M5, M7, NorthConnex, WestConnex) can significantly cut travel times compared to free alternatives.

Plan for major events & road closures

Sydney hosts numerous festivals and sporting events that lead to road closures and heavy congestion. Check Live Traffic NSW or Google Maps for updates before heading out.

New Year’s Eve: Avoid the city center as many streets close to cars. Use trains and ferries instead.
Vivid Sydney (June): Best to use public transport, as Circular Quay and The Rocks become pedestrian-only zones.
Sydney Marathon (September): Check the marathon route in advance—many roads in the CBD and Eastern Suburbs are shut for hours.

Rent accommodations in less congested areas

If you’re staying in Sydney for an extended period, choose accommodation outside the busiest areas:

Instead of the CBD: Stay in North Sydney, Parramatta, or Newtown for better accessibility and less traffic.
For beaches: Bondi is congested, so consider Coogee or Cronulla for a more relaxed experience with easier parking.