The True Cost of Traffic Congestion for Trucking Fleets

Time is money. Nowhere is that truer than in the world of trucking. But what happens when your trucks spend more time sitting in traffic than hauling freight? The ripple effect of traffic congestion hits harder than many fleet operators realize—and the costs go far beyond fuel.

🚦 Congestion Is More Than Just a Delay

It's easy to dismiss traffic as a daily annoyance. But for trucking fleets, it’s a profit killer.

According to INRIX, congestion cost U.S. drivers over $81 billion in 2022, with trucking bearing a huge chunk of that loss. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates that congestion-related delays add nearly $75 billion annually in operational costs to the trucking industry.

But how?

The Hidden Costs That Stack Up

Here’s where congestion quietly drains your bottom line:

1. Driver Hours Lost

Every hour a driver spends idling in traffic is an hour they’re not making progress—or generating revenue. With HOS (Hours of Service) limits, traffic eats into available drive time, reducing delivery windows and forcing scheduling shifts.

⏱️ Imagine losing 45 minutes per day, per truck. Across a 50-vehicle fleet, that's nearly 1,000 hours a month of lost productivity.

2. Fuel Waste

Stop-and-go traffic burns more fuel. Period. Trucks idle longer, accelerate more aggressively, and burn cash at the pump.

3. Vehicle Wear and Tear

Frequent braking, gear shifting, and idling wear down engines, brakes, and tires faster—cutting into asset lifespan and inflating maintenance budgets.

4. Missed Delivery Windows

When deliveries are delayed, customer satisfaction drops. This leads to lost contracts, negative reviews, and added admin time for rescheduling.

5. Increased Emissions = Regulatory Risk

Many jurisdictions are tightening emissions regulations. Congestion raises your emissions profile, which could hurt ESG targets and expose you to penalties.

How Telematics Fights Traffic Inefficiencies

With Can-Am Telematics + Geotab, you can reduce the impact of traffic with real-time tools that help you plan smarter, respond faster, and drive better.

1. Real-Time GPS & Traffic Data

   Avoid congestion hotspots with live traffic overlays and route suggestions that prioritize efficiency.

2. Driver Behavior Monitoring

   Reduce fuel consumption and unnecessary idling with AI-driven insights into driver habits.

3. Optimized Routing

   Automatically generate the most efficient routes based on time of day, traffic patterns, and road conditions.

4. Data-Driven Planning

   Historical congestion data helps you adjust routes and schedules for peak delivery performance.

See the Difference: Data from the Road

Can-Am Telematics customers have reported:

• Up to 15% reduction in idle time within the first 90 days

• Improved on-time delivery rates

• Lower maintenance costs from smoother driving behavior

• Better fuel efficiency across all vehicle types

🚚 Don’t Let Gridlock Stall Your Growth

If your fleet operates in urban areas or high-traffic corridors, it’s not a matter of if traffic costs you—it’s how much.

With Can-Am Telematics, you get the visibility and tools you need to outsmart traffic and reclaim lost time, fuel, and revenue.

Ready to drive past congestion? Book a demo today or talk to our team about optimizing your fleet.