Why does Mexico City experience severe traffic congestion?

Mexico City experiences severe traffic congestion primarily due to its status as a massive urban center with the highest concentration of vehicles in the country, totaling approximately four million automobiles. Several factors contribute to this persistent issue:1

• High Commuter Volume: The city faces intense rush hours that can last all day in some areas. This is driven by parents transporting children to school, office workers commuting, and a large number of people traveling 50 miles or more from surrounding cities like Cuernavaca and Toluca to work in the capital.1
• Urban Layout and Obstructions: While the city has developed beltways and expressways to help circumvent the center, traffic remains chaotic. Major boulevards are frequently blocked by protesters marching toward the Zócalo, and street vendors occupying sidewalks add to the general noise and congestion.1
• Infrastructure Challenges: Despite the existence of a public transportation network—including buses and the Metro subway—the sheer scale of the population and the reliance on road travel create significant bottlenecks.1
• Geographic Constraints: The city is situated in a high-altitude basin, which limits air circulation and traps pollutants, further complicating the urban environment.23