This study identified concentrations, toxicities, and sources of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in roadside sediment from different areas of Gwangju City. Samples were collected from 13 sites of heavy traffic area (TA), downtown area (DA) and park area (PA) during February and June in 2014. The results showed a wide distribution range of PAHs concentrations between 0.139 mg/kg and 1.740 mg/kg. The highest concentration of PAHs appeared in heavy traffic area (TA). The toxic equivalent quotients (TEQs) of PAHs in the roadside sediment ranged from 27 ng/g to 159 ng/g. The TEQs and PAHs ratio of heavy traffic area and downtown area was 9.1 to 11.0%, respectively. The contributions from potential sources to PAHs in roadside sediment were estimated by the principal component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratios between PAHs. Vehicular (gasoline and diesel engine) emissions were found to the predominant contributor of PAHs. The concentrations of heavy metals were highest in the heavy traffic areas. The correlation analysis among traffic intensity and heavy metals, showed that AADT correlates very strongly with Cr, Cu and Pb concentrations. From the results of pollution index (PI) calculation for roadside sediment, heavy traffic area was severly polluted by heavy metals such as Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. Contaminants in roadside sediment were found to be much affected by the vehicles. Therefore, roadside deposited sediments would be expected to be managedon a regular basis.