Traffic congestion on U.S. highways resulted in $108.8 billion in costs for the trucking industry in 2022, according to a study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). This figure represents a new national record for congestion costs.

The ATRI study used various data sources, including a truck GPS database and operational cost benchmarks, to assess the impact of delays on major U.S. roadways. While total hours of congestion decreased slightly from 2021 due to a softer freight market, operating costs for trucks rose significantly. Consequently, overall congestion costs increased by 15% year-over-year.

In Texas, statewide congestion costs were the highest in the nation at over $9.1 billion in 2022, marking a 26.4% increase from the previous year. Dallas had the largest total cost of congestion within Texas at over $2.1 billion, an increase of 17.2% from 2021, placing it fifth among metropolitan areas nationally. Houston followed with nearly $1.9 billion in costs, up 15% from 2021 and ranking eighth nationwide.

"Texas faces significant transportation challenges, with 13 of the top 100 most congested roadways in the nation impacting our economic efficiency and supply chain performance," said John D. Esparza, TXTA President and CEO. "However, by investing in infrastructure improvements and innovative solutions, we can alleviate these bottlenecks and reduce the economic burden on our trucking industry."

The full report is available here https://truckingresearch.org/.

ATRI is a not-for-profit research organization focused on freight transportation's role in maintaining a safe and efficient transportation system.