It is unclear to what degree the Graben served as an arterial road in the Middle Ages (see above), as the construction of buildings at either end eventually rendered it unsuitable for such a function. However, after its regularization in the 19th century, it became one of the most heavily traveled streets in Vienna even before the arrival of cars. Traffic was always permitted only on the southwestern end. Already, in the 19th century, numerous coaches-for-hire were found on the Graben.
