ATRI reveals top truck bottlenecks in the U.S.

The American Transportation Research Institute has released its 14th annual list of the most congested highways and truck bottlenecks in the United States.

The American Transportation Research Institute has released its 14th annual list of the most congested highways and truck bottlenecks in the United States. Some highways from the 2024 list remain, while others have entered the top 10. However, the intersection of Interstate 95 and State Route 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey, once again stands out, as it has been ranked the most congested bottleneck for freight transportation in the country.

The ATRI analysis, based on 2024 data, evaluated congestion across the national road network using GPS information from freight trucks. The findings revealed that traffic conditions continue to worsen compared to previous years, in some cases due to work zones resulting from increased infrastructure investment.

These delays represent a significant waste of time and fuel. ATRI estimated that, on average, trucks consume 6.4 billion gallons of diesel and generate more than 65 million additional metric tons of carbon emissions while stuck in traffic jams.

The 10 worst bottlenecks in the U.S.

The intersection of I-95 and SR 4 near the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey, for the seventh consecutive year takes the top spot as the nation’s largest freight bottleneck. The rest of the top 10 bottlenecks are:

New Jersey: I-95 and SR 4
Chicago: I-294 at I-290/I-88
Houston: I-45 at I-69/US 59
Atlanta: I-285 at I-85 (North)
Nashville: I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)
Atlanta: I-75 at I-285 (North)
Los Angeles: SR 60 at SR 57
Cincinnati: I-71 at I-75
Houston: I-10 at I-45
Atlanta: I-20 at I-285 (West)

The ATRI report found that the average truck speed during traffic hours was 34.2 MPH, a 3% decrease from the previous year’s speed.

Findings from the ATRI study

The ATRI analysis aims not only to highlight areas with the highest traffic but also to provide a measurement of road transportation performance, to identify where investments should be made. “The information provided through this research facilitates decision-making in both the public and private sectors, helping stakeholders better understand how congestion and delays limit mobility in the U.S. road transportation system,” stated ATRI in its report.

The ATRI’s annual bottleneck list offers a roadmap to reduce supply chain obstacles and guide investments as Congress prepares the reauthorization of transportation programs. The Institute emphasizes that this analysis plays a crucial role in helping local, state, and federal governments allocate funds efficiently.