A motorist drives along a motorway as Europe’s most stressful roads are ranked. Credit : guteksk7, Shutterstock
A new study has ranked the most stressful countries to drive in across Europe, and the results may come as bad news for anyone planning a summer road trip. Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania all feature near the top, while Spain is among the easiest places to get behind the wheel.
For many holidaymakers, hiring a car is one of the best ways to explore Europe. It offers freedom, flexibility and the chance to discover places that trains and planes simply cannot reach. But depending on where you are driving, that freedom can quickly turn into frustration.
A new study by Czechvignette.cz has ranked the most stressful road networks in Europe by analysing factors including traffic congestion, road quality, vehicle density and road safety. The result is a list that highlights where drivers are most likely to face long delays, poor road conditions and higher accident risks.
At the top of the ranking is Poland, which received an overall stress score of 99.43 out of 100.
According to the researchers, the country combines some of Europe’s worst traffic congestion with below average road quality and one of the highest road death rates in the study. The report found that Poland’s infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the growing number of vehicles using its roads every day.
For drivers arriving from Germany, the difference can apparently be noticeable almost immediately.
Mattijs Wijnmalen, chief executive of Czechvignette.cz, said one section of the A18 motorway near the German border is a good example of the issue. He explained that drivers often notice a sudden change in road surface quality after crossing into Poland, creating a very different driving experience within a matter of kilometres.
Why eastern Europe dominates the list of Europe’s toughest roads
Poland is not alone. The Czech Republic came second with a stress score of 94.92. While the country sits at the heart of Europe and serves as a major transport hub, its roads face heavy pressure from both domestic and international traffic.
Researchers found that congestion levels remain high and road quality scores lag behind many western European countries. The Czech Republic also has one of the highest rates of vehicle ownership in the ranking, with more than 600 registered vehicles for every 1,000 residents.
The study also pointed to factors that are harder to measure in statistics but which drivers experience first hand. These include sudden fog on busy routes, confusing diversions around roadworks and temporary traffic systems that can leave motorists second guessing which lane they should be in.
Romania ranked third overall, followed by Greece and Bulgaria.
What pushed these countries towards the top of the list was not necessarily traffic volume. In fact, some roads are less congested than those found in western Europe. The bigger concern is safety.
All three countries recorded some of the highest road fatality rates in the study.
Romania was singled out as being particularly challenging for inexperienced drivers. Researchers said deteriorating road surfaces, abrupt speed limit changes and strict enforcement can make driving there especially demanding.
In some areas, speed limits can drop sharply within a short distance, requiring drivers to react quickly while also keeping an eye out for cameras and police controls.
Italy scores worse than France, Germany and Spain
Many people might assume Italy would rank among Europe’s easiest places to drive thanks to its extensive motorway network.
The study suggests otherwise. Italy finished sixth overall, largely because of its exceptionally high vehicle density. Researchers found that the sheer number of cars on Italian roads creates a more stressful environment than in countries such as Spain, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Busy city traffic, crowded motorways and constant competition for road space all contribute to the country’s higher score.
That finding may resonate with anyone who has tried navigating Rome’s ring road, Milan’s traffic or the busy roads leading to popular coastal destinations during peak holiday season.
Spain ranks among Europe’s least stressful countries to drive in
There was better news for Spain. The country appeared among the five least stressful places to drive in Europe, alongside Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands.
Spain’s modern motorway network, generally good road conditions and comparatively lower stress indicators helped it stand out from many other countries included in the research.
For the millions of tourists who drive in Spain every year, that ranking may not come as a huge surprise. Long stretches of well maintained motorways, relatively predictable road layouts and lower congestion levels outside major cities often make journeys less demanding than elsewhere on the continent.
The study also found that some of the most stressful moments for drivers have little to do with overall road quality.
Instead, pressure often peaks during transitions. Crossing into a new country, encountering unfamiliar toll systems or suddenly finding yourself diverted through roadworks can be enough to unsettle even experienced motorists.
Researchers noted that in countries such as Bulgaria and Romania, automated speed enforcement often begins as soon as drivers enter motorways, leaving little room for adjustment.
The rankings were compiled using data from the TomTom Traffic Index, Eurostat, the European Transport Safety Council, the World Economic Forum and World Population Review.
For anyone planning to drive across Europe this summer, the findings suggest that choosing the route may be just as important as choosing the destination.
