Top Truck Bottlenecks in 2025: How Freight Factoring Keeps Carriers Moving

Every year, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) releases its list of the top 100 truck bottlenecks in the U.S., and the 2025 edition reinforces a tough reality for freight carriers: traffic congestion continues to disrupt delivery schedules and cash flow.

For owner-operators and small fleets, time spent in traffic is more than an inconvenience — it translates to missed loads, higher fuel costs, and delayed payments. In this article, we’ll break down:

• The top 10 bottlenecks for freight carriers in 2025
• The impact of congestion on trucking operations and cash flow
• How freight factoring can help carriers stay financially stable

2025’s Top 10 Truck Bottlenecks

Here are the most congested freight corridors in the country this year:

1. Fort Lee, NJ (I-95 at State Route 4)
2. Chicago, IL (I-294 at I-290/I-88)
3. Houston, TX (I-45 at I-69/US 59)
4. Atlanta, GA (I-285 at I-85 North)
5. Nashville, TN (I-24/I-40 at I-440 East)
6. Atlanta, GA (I-75 at I-285 North)
7. Los Angeles, CA (SR 60 at SR 57)
8. Cincinnati, OH (I-71 at I-75)
9. Houston, TX (I-10 at I-45)
10. Atlanta, GA (I-20 at I-285 West)

These locations consistently slow down freight traffic, especially during peak hours, creating delays that reduce efficiency and profitability for drivers and carriers.

Read more: Freight Market Trends 2025: Key Takeaways from Industry Experts

The True Cost of Congestion in Trucking

Traffic delays can trigger a chain reaction:

• Late deliveries affect broker and customer relationships
• Missed load opportunities reduce revenue potential
• Waiting weeks for payment puts pressure on working capital

When a truck sits still, your business loses money. And for many small carriers, slow broker payments make it even harder to cover fuel, insurance, maintenance, and payroll.

Why Freight Factoring Matters More in 2025

Freight factoring allows trucking businesses to access immediate payment on submitted invoices, eliminating long waits and protecting cash flow.

With Summar Financial, you can:

• Receive same-day payments on approved invoices
• Choose from true non-recourse plans that protect you from broker non-payment
• Extend your risk protection beyond the typical 90-day limit
• Get paid without reserve holdbacks or hidden fees
• Access tools like discounted fuel cards, free TMS, insurance allies and dispatch support.

This means you stay in control of your finances, even when you're stuck in traffic.

Summar Financial: Built for Truckers on the Move

Summar  has supported freight carriers for over 20 years with fast, flexible, and transparent factoring solutions. Whether you're an owner-operator, a dispatcher, or running a growing fleet, we help you get paid, reduce financial risk, and grow your business.

Traffic is out of your hands — but your cash flow doesn't have to be.

Explore how Summar can help your trucking business overcome delays and stay financially strong.

Learn more about our freight factoring services or contact us to get started.