The town centre has come to a standstill following a combination of Christmas shopping and emergency roadworks.
Witnesses reported gridlock in Church Street with some taking 45 minutes to get from West Croydon to the flyover.
The Tramlink service has been suspended between East Croydon and Reeves Corner due to the congestion.
Shopkeepers have reported clients abandoning trips into town due to the delays.
Centrale shopping centre is advising shoppers to take the train where possible.
A spokeswoman said congestion eased after 7pm and suggested shoppers stagger their shopping, with the centre open until 8pm tomorrow and 9pm all next week.
Numbers of shoppers have escalated as people do their last-minute Christmas shopping.
This has been exacerbated by emergency roadworks in Roman Way.
the work is being conducted by UK Power Network, who have a "serious oil leak on their low voltage cable which needs to be repaired urgently to prevent local residents from losing their electrical supply".
The far side lane of the southbound carriageway on Old Town by the junction with Salem Place is reduced to one lane.
The work started yesterday and is due to last two weeks.
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