As a company that offers cross-border trucking services to the USA, we are well aware of the busiest highways in the USA. We’ve transported goods across many of these busy highways, and if you’re considering adding them to your route, you may want to consider another option. Each of these 10 busy highways in the USA will slow down your trip, but unfortunately, sometimes they’re the only option. 

If you’re driving in the USA, be sure to avoid these 10 bottlenecks. 

And the busiest highway in the USA is…

1. I-95 at SR 4

Location: Fort Lee, New Jersey 

When it comes to congestion, Fort Lee takes the top prize for having the busiest highway in the USA. The average speed on the highway is just 29 miles per hour, which is the second slowest on our list. Overall though, this is the most congested stretch of highway in America, avoid it at all costs. 

2. I-285 at I-85 (North)

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Speaking of highways to avoid, the I-285 at I-85 North in Atlanta is another bottleneck you should drive around if possible. The highway isn’t getting worse per se, but it was never fast to begin with. You’ll be traveling at 22 miles per hour during the peak of rush hour. 

3. I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)

Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

It’s not just that this highway is busy, it’s that it’s getting busier. In just one year, the average speed on this stretch of highway dropped over 12% – that’s the biggest drop on our list of busiest highways in America. Hopefully, things pick up next year…but don’t count on it. 

4. I-45 at I-69/US 59

Location: Houston, Texas, USA

Speaking of drops in year over year speed averages, the I-45 at I-69 in Houston, Texas had the second-biggest drop this year, slowing by over 8% from the previous year. Taking an extra 8% longer to get through one of the busiest highways in the United States adds up. 

5. I-75 at I-285 (North)

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

If you live in Atlanta, congratulations. The city is the only one featured on this list of busy highways three times – that’s some slow traffic! 

6. I-290 at I-90/I-94

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Here it is, the slowest highway in America in terms of average speed. That doesn’t make it the busiest highway, but you can definitely expect to crawl on Interstate 290. This is rated one of the slowest highways in the USA every year. 

7. I-20 at I-285 (West)

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA 

Hello again, Atlanta. If you’re driving through this major southeastern hub, don’t expect to be driving too fast. This rounds out the third stretch of highway in Atlanta to make our list of the slowest highways in the USA. 

8. I-71 at I-75

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 

If you’re from Cincinnati, you know this stretch of highway, and you avoid it at all costs. The I-71 at Interstate 75 is always at a crawl, especially during peak hours. This is another slow highway on our list that is actually getting worse, being 5% busier than it was just a year ago. 

9. SR 60 at SR 57

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

While it may have waited until spot number 9 on our list, California has frequently been named the state with the most congested highways overall. Indeed, as a highway in general, the 405 is infamous for its slow-moving traffic. At its peak, it will have over 380,000 cars on it on a given day. 

10. I-710 at I-105

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Los Angeles has the honor of being one of two cities mentioned in the top 10 busiest highways in the USA list more than once. If you’ve driven or transported goods in California, this probably won’t surprise you. You’ll be moving very slowly in LA, so be prepared for a long road ahead. 

Hopefully, you don’t find yourself stuck in traffic on any of these 10 busiest highways in the USA, or in any of the busiest highways in Canada. To get your goods delivered on time, contact the transportation and logistics experts at Dolphin Delivery. Our team of delivery professionals knows all of the routes to take to get your goods to market, see our trucking company reviews to learn how we do business. 

Data provided by the ATRI.