Balearic Drivers Report Spain’s Highest Stress From Traffic Jams, New Survey Finds

September 18, 2026

Drivers in the Balearic Islands report higher levels of stress caused by traffic jams than respondents in any other Spanish autonomous community, according to a new survey by coches.net and market research company Appinio.

The survey, published during European Mobility Week, found that 40% of respondents in the Balearics identified traffic jams as one of the situations that causes them the most tension during their daily journeys.

That compares with 34% in the Canary Islands and 32% in the Madrid region, the next highest figures recorded in the survey.

Traffic Jams Top the List in the Balearics

The 40% figure puts the Balearics at the top of the survey's regional comparison for stress associated with traffic jams.

The finding concerns respondents' reported experience and does not measure stress through medical or psychological testing.

It also does not establish that traffic congestion is objectively worse across the Balearics than in every other Spanish region. Instead, it shows that a larger proportion of people surveyed in the islands said traffic jams were a significant source of tension for them.

100% of Surveyed Balearic Respondents Use Cars as Their Main Transport

Another striking result concerns the use of private vehicles.

According to the survey, 100% of respondents in the Balearic Islands said they use the private car as their main means of daily transport.

The Balearics were the only autonomous community in the survey to reach 100%, followed by Navarra at 83% and Castilla-La Mancha at 81%.

This figure needs to be read as a survey result rather than a census of the entire population. It does not mean that 100% of people living in the Balearics drive every day.

Seven in Ten Spend 30 Minutes to an Hour Travelling

Daily journey times were also notably high among the surveyed Balearic respondents.

Some 70% said they spend between 30 minutes and one hour each day travelling to work or their place of study.

That compares with 48% of respondents across Spain.

The survey therefore suggests that daily mobility takes a substantial amount of time for many people in the islands.

Half Travel Between 10 and 29 Kilometres

Half of the Balearic respondents said they travel between 10 and 29 kilometres each day for their regular work or study journeys.

The national figure was 51.5%.

The survey also found that private vehicle users across Spain generally choose cars because of their perceived convenience and speed, while other factors include the ability to carry shopping, luggage or other items.

The Cost of Getting Around

Traffic is not the only concern identified by the survey.

Fifty percent of respondents in the Balearics said they spend between €100 and €200 per month on their regular mobility costs, including fuel and parking.

Nationally, 47% of drivers reported spending around €100 per month.

The survey also found that fuel and vehicle maintenance were the main disadvantage of private car use for 42.9% of Spanish respondents.

Parking Is Another Source of Stress

Traffic jams were particularly prominent in the Balearics, but parking created greater concern in some other regions.

Across Spain, difficulty finding parking was one of the situations that generated tension among drivers.

Asturias recorded the highest regional figure for parking-related stress at 52%, followed by La Rioja at 43% and Extremadura at 39%.

The results show that the sources of driving-related stress vary significantly between regions.

How Drivers Try to Reduce Costs

The survey also looked at the strategies people use to reduce their mobility costs.

Nationally, 25% of respondents said they change their schedules to avoid peak traffic periods.

Another 21% said they use public transport or walk, while 17% change their route to avoid tolls or paid parking.

These figures provide an indication of how some drivers are adapting their daily journeys rather than simply continuing with the same travel patterns.

Why the Results Matter for Ibiza

The findings are particularly relevant to Ibiza, where traffic congestion and the number of vehicles on the island have become increasingly important issues.

Ibiza already has legislation allowing controls on vehicle inflows during periods of high pressure.

Formentera has operated its own seasonal vehicle-control system for several years, while Menorca is currently moving towards legislation that would allow it to introduce similar restrictions.

The new survey does not directly measure Ibiza's traffic levels, nor does it assess whether vehicle restrictions would reduce stress. It does, however, provide a snapshot of how respondents across the Balearics perceive their daily mobility.

Public Transport Remains Part of the Debate

The results come as the Balearic Islands continue investing in public transport and encouraging alternatives to private cars.

The regional government has introduced measures including free public transport for eligible residents, while island authorities are also examining ways of managing vehicle numbers during periods of high demand.

The survey suggests that the private car remains particularly important to respondents in the Balearics, even as congestion creates frustration.

A Mobility Problem With Several Dimensions

The figures paint a picture of a region where the private car remains central to everyday travel, but where traffic congestion, journey times and costs can create significant problems for drivers.

The Balearics recorded the highest proportion of respondents reporting stress from traffic jams in the survey, at 40%.

At the same time, 70% of surveyed respondents said they spend between 30 minutes and one hour travelling each day, while 50% reported monthly mobility costs of between €100 and €200.

The survey does not establish a single cause for these patterns, but it highlights the growing importance of mobility as an issue across the islands.

What the Survey Actually Shows

The most striking result is therefore not that every driver in the Balearics is stressed by traffic, but that the proportion of surveyed drivers reporting traffic jams as a source of tension was higher than in any other Spanish autonomous community included in the comparison.

The findings also underline the unusually high reliance on private cars among the Balearic respondents surveyed.

For Ibiza, where traffic and vehicle pressure remain part of the wider discussion about tourism, infrastructure and residents' quality of life, the results provide another indication of how mobility is being experienced by people living in the islands.

POSTED BY IBIZA ONE STOP

Get your Ibiza tickets from trusted official seller

Click here to find tickets for the hottest clubs, boat parties, activities, and more.

Luxury Looks for Your Ibiza Escape. Shop brand-new, authentic designer fashion from Europe’s best boutiques, with savings of up to 60% off retail at italist.

Shop Ibiza Essentials on Amazon

Browse Ibiza Merch & Prints on Etsy

365 Days of Ibiza

Experience the magic of the island beyond the season through 365 thoughtfully curated activities across beaches, nature, culture, gastronomy, and nightlife, inviting you to enjoy Ibiza at its most authentic whenever you visit.

Ibiza Clubbing & Parties