Chicago-area Interstates Ranked Worst Bottlenecks in the U.S.

The interchange where I-290 crosses and merges with I-294 and I-88 has the worst congestion, according to a new study.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A new report from the American Transportation Research Institute has found that the interchange where I-290 crosses and merges with I-294 and I-88 in the Chicago suburb of Hillside has the worst traffic congestion of any interchange in the United States, with an average speed of just 39.5 miles per hour. Several other Chicago-area interstates also ranked among the worst bottlenecks in the country.

Why it matters

Chicago's notorious traffic congestion has long been a source of frustration for commuters and a drag on the regional economy. This new ranking highlights the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and traffic management solutions to address the city's chronic gridlock issues.

The details

The interchange where I-290 crosses and merges with I-294 and I-88 in Hillside, Illinois topped the list of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the country, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. The average speed through this interchange was just 39.5 miles per hour. Other Chicago-area interstates that made the list include I-80 at I-94 (ranked 24th), I-290 at I-90/I-94 (ranked 26th with an average speed of 29 mph), I-55 (ranked 38th), I-90 at I-94 on the North Side (ranked 57th with an average of 30.5 mph), and the South Side's I-90 at I-94 (ranked 77th with an average of 40.9 mph).

  • The American Transportation Research Institute released its latest rankings of the top 100 truck bottlenecks in the United States in February 2026.

The players

American Transportation Research Institute

A nonprofit research organization that conducts transportation-related research and provides data and analysis to the trucking industry and policymakers.

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What’s next

Transportation officials in Illinois and the Chicago region will likely use this new data to prioritize infrastructure projects and traffic management strategies to address the chronic congestion issues on the city's major interstates.

The takeaway

Chicago's reputation as a traffic nightmare is well-deserved, with several of the region's key interstate interchanges and highways ranking among the worst bottlenecks in the entire country. Addressing this chronic congestion will require significant investments in infrastructure and innovative transportation solutions.