NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville is home to several of the country’s most congested bottlenecks, according to a new study.
A report by the American Transportation Research Institute revealed that seven locations in the Volunteer State are in the top 100 for some of the worst truck bottlenecks.
The ATRI reportedly compiled the list by measuring the level of congestion involving trucks at more than 325 locations across the national highway system. According to the report, the company used freight truck GPS data and several “customized software applications and analysis methods” to locate the worst traffic in the nation.
Large stretch of Bell Road to be repaved and repaired
Nashvillians may find that it comes at no surprise that several of the state’s bottlenecks are located right in Music City.
Coming in at No. 5 in the nation, the merge of I-24, I-40 and I-440. The study found that the peak average speed in the area only reaches up to about 27 miles per hour. However, that’s almost a 4% change in peak average speed from the year before.
Backups at the merge last from approximately 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to the report. During that time, drivers travel at speeds just below 20 miles per hour.
A short distance away, the stretch of I-40 at I-65 through the downtown area ranked as the 16th worst bottleneck location in the U.S.
| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County
I-40 at I-65 East typically sees backups begin at 3 p.m. and last until 6 p.m. The average peak speed during those times reach up to 31 miles per hour, according to ATRI data.
Meanwhile, on the north side, the I-65 at I-24 merge was named as the 53rd worst bottleneck area in the country. Speeds reportedly drop down to just below 30 miles per hour between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Where are the worst bottleneck locations in Tennessee?
-
No. 5: I-24/I-40 at I-440 East in Nashville
-
No. 16: I-40 at I-65 East
-
No. 28: I-75 at I-24 in Chattanooga
-
No. 44: I-40/I-75 at I-140 in Knoxville
-
No. 53: I-65 at I-24 in Nashville
-
No. 56: I-24 at US 27 in Chattanooga
-
No. 68: I-40 at I-275 in Knoxville
Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com
Fort Lee, New Jersey is home to the most congested bottleneck location in America followed by Chicago, Houston and Atlanta.
To view the full list of the top 100 truck bottlenecks, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
