The tournament is scheduled to run for 39 days and is expected to attract millions of visitors to 11 host cities across the United States. Transportation agencies are preparing for increased traffic around stadiums, airports, hotels, and entertainment districts. At the same time, some roadway projects may be paused or adjusted to help manage travel demand during the event.

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Ed Hassinger said planning and staying aware of changing traffic conditions will be important as host cities prepare for the tournament.

New York City Announces Delivery Restrictions

New York City has released some of the most detailed transportation plans announced so far.

City officials designated World Cup match days as gridlock alert days and announced truck delivery restrictions tied to matches at NYNJ Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The restrictions will apply within Manhattan between 30th Street and 60th Street, from the East River to the Hudson River.

According to city officials, truck deliveries will be restricted beginning six hours before each match and continuing until three hours after the match concludes. The restrictions are scheduled for June 13, June 16, June 22, June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5, and July 19.

Companies serving customers within the affected area may need to adjust delivery schedules to avoid delays on those dates.

Which Freight Operations Will Remain Unaffected

The restrictions will not apply to every delivery.

New York City officials said exemptions will be available for deliveries and services related to life and safety operations, public health services, utility and infrastructure work, critical commercial and community services, labor law and workplace safety compliance activities, and direct FIFA World Cup operations. Smaller delivery vehicles, including passenger vehicles, vans, and cargo bikes, will also remain exempt.

Host Cities Continue Transportation Planning

New York City’s announcement may be one of the first major freight-related restrictions tied to the tournament, but transportation planning is ongoing across all host cities.

Departments of transportation have encouraged motorists to alter travel plans during peak event periods when possible. In some areas, construction schedules are being modified to reduce traffic impacts while visitors move throughout host regions.

Additional traffic management measures may be announced as the tournament approaches.

What the Changes Could Mean for Freight Movement

While the exact impact will vary by market, increased visitor traffic and temporary transportation measures could affect freight operations in and around host cities.

Drivers operating in those areas may encounter heavier congestion, changing traffic patterns, and delivery schedule adjustments during the tournament. Monitoring local transportation updates and customer requirements ahead of major match dates may help reduce unexpected delays.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 8, 2026

Source: Land Line Media

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ATRI’s 2025 Top Truck Bottleneck List leverages massive amounts of GPS data from commercial trucks to assess congestion levels at over 325 critical points across the national highway system. Using advanced software and data analytics, ATRI compiles detailed rankings that highlight the most problematic spots for truck-involved traffic.

The Slowdown Continues

A review of 2024 data revealed that traffic conditions at many truck bottlenecks are worsening. Infrastructure upgrades intended to expand roadway capacity contributed to the stagnation, as construction areas caused temporary slowdowns. On average, rush-hour truck speeds at Fort Lee dropped to 34.2 MPH, a 3% reduction compared to the year before. Across the top ten bottlenecks, rush-hour truck speeds averaged just 29.7 MPH.

“Delays inflicted on truckers by congestion are the equivalent of 436,000 drivers sitting idle for an entire year,” observed ATRI President and COO Rebecca Brewster.

Aside from wasted time, traffic congestion bears a heavy environmental and financial burden. Trucks stuck in gridlock burned an estimated 6.4 billion gallons of diesel fuel, generating over 65 million metric tons of unnecessary carbon emissions.

Infrastructure Investment: A Double-Edged Sword

While construction has added to current congestion woes, the upgrades are essential to long-term improvements. “Illinois was once home to the top bottleneck in the country, but following a sustained effort to expand capacity, the Jane Byrne Interchange in Chicago no longer ranks in the top 10,” noted Brewster.

The $800 million reconstruction of the Jane Byrne Interchange offers a success story for how investments in infrastructure can deliver measurable results. Truck speeds during rush hours improved nearly 25% post-construction. Before the updates, vehicle speeds during daytime hours ranged from 12 to 37 MPH. By addressing chokepoints strategically, such projects can dramatically reduce congestion, cut emissions, and boost economic growth.

Notably, Chicago’s I-290 at I-90/I-94, once the nation’s worst bottleneck, has now fallen to 15th place on the list, sliding two spots from last year.

Bottleneck Challenges Impact Everyone

The release of ATRI’s analysis coincides with government efforts to reauthorize the federal highway bill. According to Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, this research provides a clear “road map” for addressing America’s most severe traffic bottlenecks.

“These bottlenecks not only choke our supply chains, adding $109 billion annually to the cost of transporting everyday goods that Americans rely on, but they also impact the quality of life for all motorists,” Spear said. “Targeted investments to reduce this traffic congestion are exactly the kinds of projects, with a measurable return on investment, that taxpayers come to expect of their elected officials.”

Wasteful Gridlock by the Numbers

Traffic-related delays result in massive losses beyond time and money, increasing environmental pollution while straining logistics networks. ATRI’s findings demonstrate how systematic strategies can address these inefficiencies, offering benefits for industries, individuals, and the planet.

The Remaining Top 10 Bottlenecks for Freight Traffic

While New Jersey holds the unenviable title of worst freight bottleneck, other major cities also find themselves grappling with extreme congestion. Here’s the rest of ATRI’s Top 10 list for 2025:

• 2. Chicago: I-294 at I-290/I-88

• 3. Houston: I-45 at I-69/US 59

• 4. Atlanta: I-285 at I-85 (North)

• 5. Nashville: I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)

• 6. Atlanta: I-75 at I-285 (North)

• 7. Los Angeles: SR 60 at SR 57

• 8. Cincinnati: I-71 at I-75

• 9. Houston: I-10 at I-45

• 10. Atlanta: I-20 at I-285 (West)

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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