U.S. Traffic Congestion Costs Trucking Industry $108.8 Billion

Traffic congestion on U.S. highways has reached a staggering annual cost of $108.8 billion, significantly affecting the trucking industry and everyday commuters. The American Transportation Research Institute reported that delays equivalent to 436,000 truck drivers sitting idle for a year are largely due to bottlenecks, with Tennessee notably having seven of the worst trucking routes in the country. In 2022 alone, congestion resulted in $3.6 billion in losses for Tennessee's trucking sector, with key areas like the I-24/I-40 and I-440 interchange in Nashville highlighted as critical trouble spots. Despite infrastructure investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tennessee's highway repair needs have ballooned to $38.5 billion. The report indicates that while total congestion hours decreased slightly, rising operational costs have led to a 15% increase in overall congestion expenses year-over-year. The implications of this congestion extend beyond financial losses, impacting supply chains and quality of life for all road users.