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 pric...