Traffic congestion hits record high, but travel patterns are changing, report finds
Texas A&M Transportation Institute research reveals that gridlock is increasingly occurring outside traditional rush hours.
Interstate traffic in Houston.
Americans spent more time stuck in traffic in 2024 than ever before, according to the newly released 2025 Urban Mobility Report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). But while congestion is back, it’s not quite the same as it used to be.
The report, which analyzes travel data from 494 U.S. urban areas, reveals that commuters lost an average of 63 hours to traffic delays last year — the highest level ever recorded. That’s the equivalent of nearly eight full workdays per person, with national congestion costs now totaling $269 billion annually.
Yet the study also shows when and where congestion is shifting. Traditional rush hours are no longer the only trouble spots. Midday, midweek and even weekend travel times are increasingly affected, a trend researchers attribute to hybrid work schedules, online shopping and other lifestyle changes.
“The numbers show more traffic delays than we’ve ever seen, but also different traffic patterns,” said Dr. David Schrank, TTI senior research scientist and lead author of the study. “We’re seeing congestion spread out across more hours of the day and more days of the week. That can make it harder for people to plan their trips.”
The report also highlights a 19% increase in truck congestion since 2019, compared to a 10% rise for all vehicles. Freight networks are feeling the strain of rising delivery volumes, especially in fast-growing metro areas.
In response to these challenges, the 2025 report introduces a new analytical lens: observed access. By examining where trips begin and end, researchers hope to help communities better understand mobility gaps and target improvements more effectively.
The report emphasizes that while congestion is a persistent problem, strategic planning, smarter infrastructure investments and flexible travel options can help mitigate its impact.
“We’re not going to build our way out of congestion entirely,” Schrank said. “Construction and some added roadway capacity is still necessary, but we can make smarter choices — from better traffic management to encouraging off-peak travel — that make the system work better for everyone.”The full 2025 Urban Mobility Report is available here.
