Morning traffic incidents cause delays on Sharjah-Dubai commute routes
Multiple traffic incidents and heavy congestion are affecting key roads connecting Sharjah and Dubai during morning rush hour, with delays reported on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Al Ittihad Street, and several other major routes.
Morning traffic incidents cause delays on Sharjah-Dubai commute routes
Commuters traveling between Sharjah and Dubai faced significant delays during the morning rush hour on July 23, 2026, as multiple traffic incidents and heavy congestion affected several major routes connecting the two emirates.
According to real-time Google Maps traffic data, traffic was moving slowly on Al Ittihad Street near Al Mamzar, while congestion built up on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Muhaisnah Fourth following a reported traffic incident. The approximately 140-kilometer highway, which links Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah, experiences particularly heavy congestion during morning inbound traffic from Sharjah toward Dubai, despite being toll-free.
Delays were also reported on Beirut Street and Al Khail Road near Al Barsha South Fifth, where traffic moved at a reduced pace.
Sharjah routes affected
For those commuting from Sharjah into Dubai, heavy congestion affected Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road from City Centre Al Zahia due to a reported traffic incident. A separate crash caused traffic to build up on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Road in the Sharjah Industrial Area, while another incident slowed traffic on Sharjah Ring Road.
Elsewhere in Sharjah, motorists experienced delays on Maleha Street through the Industrial Area, while Emirates Road saw heavy congestion near Sharjah Grand Mosque following another reported traffic incident.
The morning delays come as commute times from Sharjah to Dubai that typically took 30 to 40 minutes have been stretching to an hour or more during peak hours in 2026. Peak rush hour in the UAE typically occurs between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM on weekday mornings.
Rising congestion concerns
Traffic congestion has become an increasingly common challenge for UAE residents. A 2025 study found that 90 percent of Sharjah residents and 91 percent of Dubai residents typically experience traffic congestion, with 80 percent of respondents witnessing more congestion in 2025 than the previous year.
The concentration of traffic is particularly acute in the affected areas, with 80 to 90 percent of UAE traffic concentrated in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, where advanced traffic systems and camera networks are already active.
The UAE recorded 853,411 new vehicle registrations in 2025, up from 779,276 in 2024, while 558,191 new driving licenses were issued, compared to 504,377 in the previous year. This surge in vehicles and drivers has contributed to increased road congestion across the emirates.
Traffic incidents have also risen significantly. The UAE recorded 6,014 major road accidents in 2025, a 23 percent increase compared to 4,898 in 2024, according to Ministry of Interior data analyzed by RoadSafetyUAE.
Infrastructure projects add to delays
Ongoing infrastructure development is contributing to traffic delays across the region. Works linked to the Etihad Rail access roads project and Al Taawun Tunnel development are causing diversions between University City and Ard Al Maahid in Sharjah, adding to peak-hour congestion.
Additionally, the bus and taxi service road at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station remains closed until the end of 2026 as part of expansion works, while a major diversion is in place on Emirates Road, including the closure of Al Aleyas Tunnel, affecting connectivity between Al Amardi Street and Tripoli Street.
Drivers were advised to allow extra travel time, follow traffic updates and exercise caution when approaching crash sites. Traffic conditions may change rapidly during the morning rush hour.
