Chicago Interchange Tops ATRI's 2026 List of Worst Truck Bottlenecks
Event summary
- The interchange of Interstate 294 and Interstates 290/88 in Chicago ranked as the most congested freight bottleneck in the U.S. in ATRI's 2026 report.
- Congestion delays cost the equivalent of 436,000 truck drivers sitting idle for a year.
- Average rush hour truck speeds were 33.2 MPH, 2.8% slower than the previous year.
- Illinois' previous top bottleneck, the Jane Byrne Interchange, no longer ranks in the top 25 due to capacity expansion efforts.
- The report analyzed over 325 locations using truck GPS data and customized software applications.
The big picture
ATRI's annual report highlights the worsening congestion at key freight bottlenecks, which not only impacts the trucking industry but also adds significant costs to the supply chain and consumer goods. The data provides a roadmap for policymakers to invest in projects that can improve efficiency and economic growth. The shift in the top bottleneck from Fort Lee, New Jersey, to Chicago underscores the dynamic nature of freight congestion and the need for continuous monitoring and targeted interventions.
What we're watching
- Infrastructure Investment
- Whether targeted infrastructure investments, like those in Illinois, can effectively reduce congestion in other high-ranking bottlenecks.
- Regulatory Impact
- How the upcoming reauthorization of the nation's surface transportation programs will allocate funding to address these bottlenecks.
- Operational Efficiency
- The pace at which technological advancements and data-driven analysis can improve freight mobility and reduce delays.