2026 Top Truck Bottlenecks Revealed

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released its 15th annual ranking of the most congested truck bottlenecks in the United States — and this year, there’s a new #1.

For the first time ever, the interchange of Interstate 294 and Interstates 290/88 Interchange in Chicago has been named the most congested freight bottleneck in the country, surpassing the long-standing congestion hotspot at Fort Lee I-95 at SR 4.

While rankings may shift, the underlying message remains the same: congestion continues to strain the nation’s freight network, impacting carriers, shippers, and ultimately consumers.

The Cost of Congestion: 436,000 Drivers Sitting Idle

According to ATRI President and COO Rebecca Brewster, congestion delays are equivalent to 436,000 truck drivers sitting idle for an entire year.

Let that sink in.

That lost time translates into:

  • Reduced productivity
  • Higher operating costs
  • Increased emissions
  • Delayed deliveries
  • Higher prices for consumers

In fact, congestion adds an estimated $109 billion annually to the cost of goods across the U.S. economy.

For supply chains already navigating inflationary pressures, insurance hikes, compliance costs, and fluctuating capacity, worsening congestion only compounds the challenge.

The 2026 Top 10 Truck Bottlenecks

ATRI analyzed more than 325 freight-critical locations using extensive truck GPS data from 2025.  Here are the Top 10 most congested freight bottlenecks:

  1. Interstate 294 and Interstates 290/88 Interchange – Chicago, IL
  2. Fort Lee I-95 at SR 4 – Fort Lee, NJ
  3. I-285 at I-85 North – Atlanta, GA
  4. I-45 at I-69/US 59 – Houston, TX
  5. I-75 at I-285 North – Atlanta, GA
  6. I-20 at I-285 West – Atlanta, GA
  7. I-24/I-40 at I-440 East – Nashville, TN
  8. I-10 at I-69/US 59 – Houston, TX
  9. I-71 at I-75 – Cincinnati, OH
  10. Interstate 75 McDonough – McDonough, GA

Notably, Chicago’s new #1 bottleneck dethroned a congestion site that had dominated the rankings for years.  However, history shows improvement is possible.

A Roadmap for Improvement

Illinois previously addressed severe congestion at the Jane Byrne Interchange, which once ranked as the worst bottleneck nationwide.  Following sustained capacity expansion and infrastructure investment, that location no longer appears in the Top 25.

Similarly, targeted investments around the George Washington Bridge have improved traffic flow between New York and New Jersey after years atop the congestion list.

The takeaway?  Strategic infrastructure funding works.

As Congress prepares to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs, ATRI’s data offers policymakers a clear, GPS-driven blueprint for prioritizing high-impact projects.

Truck Speeds Continue to Decline

ATRI’s 2025 data shows conditions are worsening:

  • Average rush-hour truck speeds nationwide: 33.2 MPH
  • Top 10 bottleneck average: 29.6 MPH
  • Year-over-year decline: 2.8%

In many cases, work zones tied to infrastructure improvements are contributing to short-term slowdowns — but those investments may pay long-term dividends.

What This Means for Shippers and Carriers

For carriers, congestion affects:

  • Driver hours-of-service compliance
  • Fuel consumption
  • Equipment utilization
  • Service reliability

For shippers, it impacts:

  • Delivery predictability
  • Inventory management
  • On-time performance metrics
  • Transportation spend

Congestion isn’t just a traffic issue — it’s a supply chain stability issue.

The Bigger Picture: Data-Driven Freight Planning

ATRI’s analysis leverages terabytes of truck GPS data, customized software applications, and freight movement analytics.  The same data also supports initiatives by the U.S. Department of Transportation aimed at improving national freight mobility.

As freight volumes continue to grow and infrastructure ages, the need for data-backed decision-making becomes increasingly urgent.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Top Truck Bottleneck List highlights a familiar challenge: America’s freight network is under pressure.

However, success stories in Chicago and at the George Washington Bridge demonstrate that targeted, sustained infrastructure investment can deliver measurable improvements.

For trucking companies, shippers, and policymakers alike, the message is clear:

Congestion is costly — but it’s solvable.

The question now is whether federal and state leaders will use this roadmap to build a more efficient freight future.

 

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