View of the traffic jam on an interstate highway in Oregon. Photo: Shutterstock.com/Keep Smiling Photography.
Oppizi.com, an offline advertising company, has conducted an analysis of the latest motorist data to unveil the most congested roads in the United States, pinpointing the prime locations for businesses to advertise. These heavily congested roads offer a unique advantage – drivers have more time to take in their surroundings, making them ideal spots for businesses to maximize their advertising investments.
Taking the top spot as the most congested U.S. road is Chicago’s I-290, also known as the Eisenhower Expressway, between I-90 and I-94. The average speed on this stretch is a mere 23.5 mph, with a peak average speed of just 18.2 mph. Placing a billboard between these interstates presents an opportunity to showcase a business to hundreds of thousands of drivers annually. The posted speed limit here is 55 mph, but traffic moves at less than half that speed.
For those seeking the broadest exposure for their outdoor advertisements, the I-495 in Queens, New York takes second place. The average speed on this road is 25.3 mph, dipping to 15.4 mph during peak hours.
In third position is the I-95 at SR 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Advertising on a billboard here provides the third highest exposure to congestion. The average speed clocks in at 26.8 mph, marking a nearly 10 percent drop in speed since 2021.
The fourth best U.S. road for billboard placement is the I-678 in the Bronx, New York, with an average speed of 25.4 mph, ensuring ample eyes on your advert amid the traffic.
The I-76 at I-676 in Philadelphia claims the fifth position with an average traffic speed of 30.5 mph, while the current speed limit stands at 55 mph in Montgomery County and 50 mph in Philadelphia County.
Taking the sixth spot is the I-45 at I-69/US 59 in Houston, Texas. Drivers in this area maintain an average speed of 31.1 mph, which drops to 20.7 mph during peak times.
On average, drivers cruise at 33.1 mph on the I-90 at I-94 (North) in Chicago, Illinois. During peak hours, this speed dwindles to 20.7 mph, rising to 39.4 mph during non-peak times.
The I-76 at US 1 in Philadelphia secures the seventh position with an average speed of 33.6 mph, slowing down to 25.3 mph during peak times.
Seattle, Washington’s I-5 at I-90 takes the eighth position, with an average driver speed of 35.0 mph, which decreases to 27.4 mph during peak hours, still considerably faster than many other congested roads.
Meanwhile, the I-80 at I-580/I880 in Oakland, California ranks ninth, with drivers maintaining an average pace of 35.7 mph.
Slightly below Oakland is the I-5 at I-84 in Portland, Oregon, with an average road speed of 35.9 mph for drivers in that area.
The “least favorable” road for billboard advertising is the I-75 at I-24 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where traffic flows briskly, with an average speed of 52.3 mph.
A spokesperson from Oppizi.com commented on these findings, stating, “Billboards offer an exceptional platform for business advertising, particularly in areas where a significant number of drivers can readily view them. The routes highlighted in this analysis are prime locations where a large volume of people pass through, providing an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on commuters who frequently travel these routes. While online marketing is powerful and pervasive, the risk of overconsumption and information overload on various digital platforms makes offline marketing a valuable tool to enhance visibility, trust, and brand recognition.”
