April 25, 2024
Europe's most stressful cities to drive in
Driving can be great fun, as anyone who's ever been on a memorable road trip holiday will know. But there's also the intrinsic joy of driving - the thrill of going wherever you want, in a car that feels great to steer and responsive to the lightest touch.
However, driving can sometimes cause us a lot of stress. Nearly everyone will have been affected by this at one point or another - feeling their heart rate skyrocket as heavy traffic clogs the road, or as the behavior of other drivers causes feelings of anxiety, annoyance or even road rage.
In the first of the DiscoverCars.com series, we wanted to investigate which cities in Europe are the most stressful to drive in. We worked with a group of drivers who were willing to be part of our study, testing their heart rate as they took a half hour drive around their city, as well as filming their journey with a dash cam. We wondered what factors would affect their experience - are the roads in their city quiet or congested? The drivers also recorded their heart rate while resting so that we could compare this.
Some factors that frequently stress drivers out include: driving faster than they feel comfortable (especially new drivers), being tailgated, and driving in an unfamiliar area. There's also driving at night or in bad weather conditions. Of course, something that is a very frequent cause of stress for drivers is seeing other people on the road driving dangerously or even breaking the law, by using their mobile phones or speeding.
Without further ado, let's get into the most stressful cities in Europe for drivers. And don't miss the second part of the series!
However, driving can sometimes cause us a lot of stress. Nearly everyone will have been affected by this at one point or another - feeling their heart rate skyrocket as heavy traffic clogs the road, or as the behavior of other drivers causes feelings of anxiety, annoyance or even road rage.
In the first of the DiscoverCars.com series, we wanted to investigate which cities in Europe are the most stressful to drive in. We worked with a group of drivers who were willing to be part of our study, testing their heart rate as they took a half hour drive around their city, as well as filming their journey with a dash cam. We wondered what factors would affect their experience - are the roads in their city quiet or congested? The drivers also recorded their heart rate while resting so that we could compare this.
Some factors that frequently stress drivers out include: driving faster than they feel comfortable (especially new drivers), being tailgated, and driving in an unfamiliar area. There's also driving at night or in bad weather conditions. Of course, something that is a very frequent cause of stress for drivers is seeing other people on the road driving dangerously or even breaking the law, by using their mobile phones or speeding.
Without further ado, let's get into the most stressful cities in Europe for drivers. And don't miss the second part of the series!
Methodology
The first cities we studied were: Barcelona (Spain), Budapest (Hungary), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Milan (Italy), Munich (Germany), Oslo (Norway), Prague (Czech Republic), and Krakow (Poland). We found a driver in each city to take part in our research.
We collected data on each driver's resting and driving heart rate, and measured the highest and lowest bpm for both situations. Then we found the mean of their lowest resting and driving heart rates. We deducted this from the mean of their highest heart rates, resting and driving. We showed the heart rate data to Dr Adedeji Saheed, a practising medical doctor specializing in internal medicine, with over three years of clinical practice. He provided an insight into typical heart rates.
The resulting numbers were used to create the ranking, with those drivers with a significant difference between their average high and average low considered to be experiencing a higher level of stress. From now on we will refer to this number as their 'Stress Rating'.
We also drew on information from online platforms such as Reddit and forums for travel, driving and motorcyclists to see what people are saying about road conditions, parking and what it is like to drive in each of these cities.
We collected data on each driver's resting and driving heart rate, and measured the highest and lowest bpm for both situations. Then we found the mean of their lowest resting and driving heart rates. We deducted this from the mean of their highest heart rates, resting and driving. We showed the heart rate data to Dr Adedeji Saheed, a practising medical doctor specializing in internal medicine, with over three years of clinical practice. He provided an insight into typical heart rates.
The resulting numbers were used to create the ranking, with those drivers with a significant difference between their average high and average low considered to be experiencing a higher level of stress. From now on we will refer to this number as their 'Stress Rating'.
We also drew on information from online platforms such as Reddit and forums for travel, driving and motorcyclists to see what people are saying about road conditions, parking and what it is like to drive in each of these cities.
Europe's drivers: from stressed out to serene
Oslo, Norway
The capital of Norway came out in our results as the most stressful city for drivers, with a Stress Rating of 37.5. The driver's heart rate's highest point while driving was 110 bpm - considerably higher than when they were driving in what must have been a less stressful situation, when it was only 71 bpm.
Dr Adedeji Saheed said the heart rates experienced by this driver are normal, but the fact that their resting heart rate hit 99 bpm - at the higher end of the normal range - meant that they could have been experiencing stress or anxiety before beginning to drive. He also acknowledged that a high resting heart rate can be influenced by caffeine intake, as well as sharing the insight that heart rates naturally fluctuate throughout the day.
To get out of the city center and catch your breath, why not drive out to the Bygdoy Peninsula? You can get there in half an hour from Oslo - and once you're there, you can enjoy the walking trails of Kongeskogen, the King's Forest, or head to the beach.
Dr Adedeji Saheed said the heart rates experienced by this driver are normal, but the fact that their resting heart rate hit 99 bpm - at the higher end of the normal range - meant that they could have been experiencing stress or anxiety before beginning to drive. He also acknowledged that a high resting heart rate can be influenced by caffeine intake, as well as sharing the insight that heart rates naturally fluctuate throughout the day.
To get out of the city center and catch your breath, why not drive out to the Bygdoy Peninsula? You can get there in half an hour from Oslo - and once you're there, you can enjoy the walking trails of Kongeskogen, the King's Forest, or head to the beach.
Lisbon, Portugal
With a Stress Rating of 36, the second most stressful city was the capital of Portugal. That's only just behind Oslo. The driver's heart rate hit 134 bpm at its highest point - but their heart rate was generally a little higher than some of the other drivers, going 80 bpm minimum at rest.
134 bpm is within the range generally considered normal, but Dr Saheed suggested that people who experience a heart rate of this level during everyday activities should be mindful of any symptoms they feel. This driver's resting heart rate hit 122 bpm at its highest, which according to the doctor is elevated above the range that is typically expected - it could be indicative of stress or anxiety.
Lisbon has quite a lot of narrow streets, especially in the historic city center, which can make it a stressful city to drive in. Locals also say Lisbon's roads can be twisty. One popular day trip from the capital is the Serra da Arrabida National Park, which you can reach in just under an hour by car. Once you're there, you can enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains, or relax on one of the many beaches.
134 bpm is within the range generally considered normal, but Dr Saheed suggested that people who experience a heart rate of this level during everyday activities should be mindful of any symptoms they feel. This driver's resting heart rate hit 122 bpm at its highest, which according to the doctor is elevated above the range that is typically expected - it could be indicative of stress or anxiety.
Lisbon has quite a lot of narrow streets, especially in the historic city center, which can make it a stressful city to drive in. Locals also say Lisbon's roads can be twisty. One popular day trip from the capital is the Serra da Arrabida National Park, which you can reach in just under an hour by car. Once you're there, you can enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains, or relax on one of the many beaches.
Milan, Italy
The Stress Rating of Italy's capital was 30. Our driver in Milan's highest heart rate was 99 bpm while driving, which is over 20 bpm faster than their slowest heart rate while driving, indicating that something happened on their dive to cause it to spike. Their slowest heart rate was only 63 bpm, while resting.
The heart rates recorded by this driver are in the normal range according to Dr Adedeji Saheed - but he advised that the highest resting heart rate of 89 bpm is slightly higher than normal. For anyone who experiences a heart rate this high while resting, Dr Saheed recommended being mindful of any accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, and seeing medical advice if such symptoms are present.
Milan is a city that can get very busy, with drivers finding it difficult to find somewhere to park, although there are some free parking zones. Anecdotally, drivers in Italy can be quicker to honk the horn than drivers in other countries, which can be a little stressful for those who are not used to this. There are also a high number of motorbikes and mopeds on the streets due to the popularity of this transport method.
Driving for only about an hour from the city center, you can reach Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. Make your way down country roads to reach this protected area of woodlands, rivers and farmland, where you can also find small rural towns. This area is also home to the Museum of Agriculture and the Museum of Rural Life, where visitors from Italy and further afield can learn about the traditional way of life in rural Italy.
The heart rates recorded by this driver are in the normal range according to Dr Adedeji Saheed - but he advised that the highest resting heart rate of 89 bpm is slightly higher than normal. For anyone who experiences a heart rate this high while resting, Dr Saheed recommended being mindful of any accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, and seeing medical advice if such symptoms are present.
Milan is a city that can get very busy, with drivers finding it difficult to find somewhere to park, although there are some free parking zones. Anecdotally, drivers in Italy can be quicker to honk the horn than drivers in other countries, which can be a little stressful for those who are not used to this. There are also a high number of motorbikes and mopeds on the streets due to the popularity of this transport method.
Driving for only about an hour from the city center, you can reach Parco Agricolo Sud Milano. Make your way down country roads to reach this protected area of woodlands, rivers and farmland, where you can also find small rural towns. This area is also home to the Museum of Agriculture and the Museum of Rural Life, where visitors from Italy and further afield can learn about the traditional way of life in rural Italy.
London, UK
Next, we have the capital of the UK, achieving a Stress Rating of 29.5. The fastest heart rate our driver in London experienced was 115 bpm while driving, which is significantly higher than their slowest heart rate, which was 57 bpm at rest.
This driver's heart rate readings all fell within the normal range according to the doctor.
London is a city that is very well known for its public transport system, and many Londoners don't own a car, choosing to cycle or take the Tube. Nonetheless, it can still be very congested on the roads, and there are also some complicated roads with multiple lanes.
Just under two hours' drive out of London is the lovely seaside town of Whitstable, on the north coast of Kent. Set off in the morning and you'd arrive in time for a scrumptious fresh seafood lunch.
This driver's heart rate readings all fell within the normal range according to the doctor.
London is a city that is very well known for its public transport system, and many Londoners don't own a car, choosing to cycle or take the Tube. Nonetheless, it can still be very congested on the roads, and there are also some complicated roads with multiple lanes.
Just under two hours' drive out of London is the lovely seaside town of Whitstable, on the north coast of Kent. Set off in the morning and you'd arrive in time for a scrumptious fresh seafood lunch.
Budapest, Hungary
The capital of Hungary scored a Stress Rating of 25.5. This driver's highest heart rate while driving, 99 bpm, was not that much faster than their highest heart rate at rest, which was 90 bpm. However, their lowest heart rate at rest was only 51 bpm, much slower.
This driver's heart rate was within the normal range, but their resting heart rate was sometimes a little low at 51 bpm and sometimes a little high at 90 bpm. Dr Adedeji Saheed shared that a low resting heart rate can sometimes be a sign of someone being very physically fit but it can also be an indicator for some health conditions. Anyone who experiences heart rates this slow might want to be mindful of any symptoms they experience.
Like London, Budapest is just about in the middle of the ranking - not the most stressful but by no means the least. While the roads are generally in good condition, drivers say parking can be hard to find in this city, especially in the busy downtown area, and traffic can sometimes be heavy.
Driving from Budapest, you can get to Tata in under an hour. There are miles of peaceful countryside surrounding this town. Lake Öreg and its surrounding park are a popular destination for Hungarians, especially in the warmer months.
This driver's heart rate was within the normal range, but their resting heart rate was sometimes a little low at 51 bpm and sometimes a little high at 90 bpm. Dr Adedeji Saheed shared that a low resting heart rate can sometimes be a sign of someone being very physically fit but it can also be an indicator for some health conditions. Anyone who experiences heart rates this slow might want to be mindful of any symptoms they experience.
Like London, Budapest is just about in the middle of the ranking - not the most stressful but by no means the least. While the roads are generally in good condition, drivers say parking can be hard to find in this city, especially in the busy downtown area, and traffic can sometimes be heavy.
Driving from Budapest, you can get to Tata in under an hour. There are miles of peaceful countryside surrounding this town. Lake Öreg and its surrounding park are a popular destination for Hungarians, especially in the warmer months.
Munich, Germany
In Munich, the Stress Rating was 21.5, and the driver's highest heart rate was 103 bpm, which is on the lower end of the data we recorded. Their lowest heart rate at rest was 67 bpm.
All this driver's heart rate readings were within the normal range, and Dr Saheed said there was nothing unusual in these readings that would be cause for concern.
Many drivers in Munich will often take the Autobahn, as the city's outer ring road is a motorway. For some who come to Germany, their hearts thrill at the thought of soaring down the motorway at 80mph, but for others, this will be a frightening prospect. And some locals are not keen either, finding the Autobahn densely packed and actually quite slow-moving, particularly during rush hour.
Whatever the season, one great option for a day trip from Munich is Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is just over an hour's drive away. This small Bavarian ski town offers gorgeous views of the highest mountains in Germany.
All this driver's heart rate readings were within the normal range, and Dr Saheed said there was nothing unusual in these readings that would be cause for concern.
Many drivers in Munich will often take the Autobahn, as the city's outer ring road is a motorway. For some who come to Germany, their hearts thrill at the thought of soaring down the motorway at 80mph, but for others, this will be a frightening prospect. And some locals are not keen either, finding the Autobahn densely packed and actually quite slow-moving, particularly during rush hour.
Whatever the season, one great option for a day trip from Munich is Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is just over an hour's drive away. This small Bavarian ski town offers gorgeous views of the highest mountains in Germany.
Prague, Czech Republic
Next, the capital of the Czech Republic comes in with a Stress Rating of 20, just below that of Munich. The driver's highest heart rate was 119 bpm while driving, which is not as high as it might sound when you consider the fact that their lowest heart rate was 71 bpm, at rest. Everyone's bodies are different and we're sure you can see why we didn't rank this data only using the highest heart rate each driver experienced.
According to Dr Saheed, 119 bpm is within the normal range of heart rate speeds a driver might experience, as were this driver's other readings.
The Czech Republic is connected by well maintained motorways, but outside the cities you might find small country roads that provide a less smooth driving experience. Like many cities, driving in Prague can sometimes be busy. In 2023, driving through the Old Town at night after 10 pm was banned to help keep the area quieter for residents.
In around an hour, you can leave the city behind, and drive from Prague to the Czech Karst Protected Landscape Area. Here, you can wander in the woods and explore the mysteriously beautiful underground limestone caves.
According to Dr Saheed, 119 bpm is within the normal range of heart rate speeds a driver might experience, as were this driver's other readings.
The Czech Republic is connected by well maintained motorways, but outside the cities you might find small country roads that provide a less smooth driving experience. Like many cities, driving in Prague can sometimes be busy. In 2023, driving through the Old Town at night after 10 pm was banned to help keep the area quieter for residents.
In around an hour, you can leave the city behind, and drive from Prague to the Czech Karst Protected Landscape Area. Here, you can wander in the woods and explore the mysteriously beautiful underground limestone caves.
Barcelona, Spain
In the Spanish city of Barcelona, the Stress Rating we came to was only 16, as there wasn't much difference between the driver's heart rate at its lowest and its highest. Their fastest heart rate was 74 bpm, compared to 50 bpm at its slowest while they were resting.
This driver's heart rate was comparatively low at all times in fact, in particular while they were at rest. Dr Saheed advised that for some people who have a high level of cardiovascular fitness, heart rates as low as this can be a sign of health. However, for some people it can indicate that they are experiencing 'bradycardia'- if someone's heart rate is too slow, it could mean that oxygenated blood is not being sent around their body fast enough.
Some parts of Barcelona have a reputation for being rather difficult to navigate by car, such as the narrow and often pedestrianized or one-way streets you can find in areas like the Old Town.
However, if (like our driver) you know where you're going and where the best parking spots are, you can enjoy taking in the sights of the city from your car window - perhaps on your way to one of Barcelona's many popular day trip destinations. Two options that should take no longer than an hour are Serra de Collserola Natural Park or the Montserrat mountain range.
This driver's heart rate was comparatively low at all times in fact, in particular while they were at rest. Dr Saheed advised that for some people who have a high level of cardiovascular fitness, heart rates as low as this can be a sign of health. However, for some people it can indicate that they are experiencing 'bradycardia'- if someone's heart rate is too slow, it could mean that oxygenated blood is not being sent around their body fast enough.
Some parts of Barcelona have a reputation for being rather difficult to navigate by car, such as the narrow and often pedestrianized or one-way streets you can find in areas like the Old Town.
However, if (like our driver) you know where you're going and where the best parking spots are, you can enjoy taking in the sights of the city from your car window - perhaps on your way to one of Barcelona's many popular day trip destinations. Two options that should take no longer than an hour are Serra de Collserola Natural Park or the Montserrat mountain range.
Krakow, Poland
According to our research, the least stressful city to drive in is Krakow. The Stress Rating is a tiny 9.5! The fastest heart rate our driver experienced in the Polish city was 107 bpm and the slowest was 84 bpm.
Dr Adedeji Saheed said this driver's heart rate readings were within the normal range, although their resting heart rate was a little high. Their heart rate while driving didn't significantly increase, which could suggest that their experience driving through the city didn't cause them much or any stress.
Wonder what makes Krakow a comparatively relaxing place to drive? In recent years, Poland's government has invested a lot of money into building new roads and highways as part of the 2014-2023 National Road Construction Programme. Maybe this has had an impact on the driving experience in the country.
One last fact we love about driving in Poland is that in spring and autumn, you can find roadside stalls where farmers sell their own fresh fruit or vegetables.
A popular day trip from Krakow is the village of Zalipie. You'll enjoy views of the Polish countryside on the way, and arrive in about an hour and a half at 'the Painted Village', where since the 19th-century people have decorated their homes with colorful flower paintings (as well as everything from barns to letterboxes)! Several must-sees here include The Painter's House, Felicia Curylo's Farm House and St Joseph's Church, all of which are open to visitors.
Dr Adedeji Saheed said this driver's heart rate readings were within the normal range, although their resting heart rate was a little high. Their heart rate while driving didn't significantly increase, which could suggest that their experience driving through the city didn't cause them much or any stress.
Wonder what makes Krakow a comparatively relaxing place to drive? In recent years, Poland's government has invested a lot of money into building new roads and highways as part of the 2014-2023 National Road Construction Programme. Maybe this has had an impact on the driving experience in the country.
One last fact we love about driving in Poland is that in spring and autumn, you can find roadside stalls where farmers sell their own fresh fruit or vegetables.
A popular day trip from Krakow is the village of Zalipie. You'll enjoy views of the Polish countryside on the way, and arrive in about an hour and a half at 'the Painted Village', where since the 19th-century people have decorated their homes with colorful flower paintings (as well as everything from barns to letterboxes)! Several must-sees here include The Painter's House, Felicia Curylo's Farm House and St Joseph's Church, all of which are open to visitors.
How to reduce your stress while driving
If you experience stress while on the road, here are some tips to help you find your zen again.
Listen to some music you enjoy - make sure it's not too distracting though, so you can relax but stay focused.
Make sure you take enough rest breaks on your journey. Whether that means stopping for lunch, a coffee, or just to stretch your legs, this will help you clear your mind of any stressful thoughts and reset you in time for the next stretch of your trip.
Allow more time for your journey than you think you need, when possible. Rushing and trying to beat the traffic to get to your destination on time can be one of the most anxiety-inducing driving experiences. So the earlier you can get behind the wheel the better (although we appreciate this might be tricky for those with little passengers)!
If you're planning a trip, we can take some of the stress out of it for you by helping you find the best rental car for you, in over 145 countries around the world.
Listen to some music you enjoy - make sure it's not too distracting though, so you can relax but stay focused.
Make sure you take enough rest breaks on your journey. Whether that means stopping for lunch, a coffee, or just to stretch your legs, this will help you clear your mind of any stressful thoughts and reset you in time for the next stretch of your trip.
Allow more time for your journey than you think you need, when possible. Rushing and trying to beat the traffic to get to your destination on time can be one of the most anxiety-inducing driving experiences. So the earlier you can get behind the wheel the better (although we appreciate this might be tricky for those with little passengers)!
If you're planning a trip, we can take some of the stress out of it for you by helping you find the best rental car for you, in over 145 countries around the world.
Top related locations
Here are some other locations around the world, and the nearest airports to them, where you can easily get out of the busy city and have a less stressful driving experience.
- Cape Town, South Africa (Cape Town International Airport) - Drive to the stunning Cape Point for ocean views and rugged landscapes.
- Vancouver, Canada (Vancouver International Airport) - Quickly escape to the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway leading to Squamish and Whistler.
- Mexico City, Mexico (Mexico City International Airport) - A short drive from the beautiful mountain town of Valle de Bravo.
- Sydney, Australia (Sydney Airport) - Easy getaway to the Hunter Valley for wine tasting and vineyard tours.
- San Jose, Costa Rica (Juan Santamaría International Airport) - Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest for a retreat among unique flora and fauna.
- Wellington, New Zealand (Wellington International Airport) - Enjoy a scenic drive around the Wellington coast for dramatic sea views.
- Denver, Colorado (Denver International Airport) - Gateway to the Rockies, perfect for mountain adventures.
- Brisbane, Australia (Brisbane Airport) - Head to the Sunshine Coast for beaches and relaxation just a short drive away.
- Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles International Airport) - Escape to Malibu for beachside bliss and scenic drives along the coast.
- Abu Dhabi, UAE (Abu Dhabi International Airport) - Drive to Jebel Hafeet for mountain views and winding roads.
- Toronto, Canada (Toronto Pearson International Airport) - Take a leisurely drive to the tranquil Muskoka Lakes region.
- Darwin, Australia (Darwin International Airport) - Litchfield National Park is a fantastic drive away, with waterfalls and pools.
- Melbourne, Australia (Melbourne Airport) - The Yarra Valley, with its wineries and countryside, is a quick drive away.
- Perth, Australia (Perth Airport) - A road trip to Ningaloo Reef offers stunning coastal drives and coral reef adventures.
- Miami, Florida (Miami International Airport) - Drive down to Everglades National Park for unique wildlife and landscapes.
- Cairns, Australia (Cairns Airport) - Drive north to Daintree Rainforest for an immersive nature experience.
- Dubai, UAE (Dubai International Airport) - A desert safari in nearby Al Maha is an unforgettable driving experience.
- Las Vegas, Nevada (Las Vegas Airport) - Head to one of the many national parks within a few hours' drive from the city of sin, including Grand Canyon National Park.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport) - Coastal drives to nearby Búzios or Paraty offer charm and natural beauty.
- San Francisco, California (San Francisco International Airport) - The drive to Big Sur offers dramatic cliffs and sea vistas.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
