It’s one of my favorite times of the year! Not only do I get to see family more often, but also indulge in incredible homecooked meals, and some travel, if possible.
Sometimes, traveling during the holidays can be frustrating as it feels like the entire state is on the road. But this year, travelers will likely experience a little more holiday cheer: Less time on the road and more time at home with family.
The 2025 Texas Top 100 Congested Road Segments Report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) shows that despite more vehicles on the road, TxDOT’s targeted congestion-relief transportation investments are helping drivers spend less time stuck in traffic and saving Texans millions of dollars each year.
The data shows that while there’s been about a 12% increase in travel since 2017, traffic congestion statewide has dropped by 12%.
Plus, about half of the Top 100 congested road segments were under construction in 2024. This includes several projects from Texas Clear Lanes, the congestion-relief initiative launched by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2015.
I know we all still sit in traffic, but could you imagine how tough our traffic challenges would be if TxDOT had not invested in targeted congestion relief projects over the last several years? For example, over the past year, TxDOT contracted an average of $1 billion per month in road improvements and maintenance and currently a record $63 billion in projects are under construction.
The TTI study also shows these improvements saved Texas commuters an estimated $1.8 billion in 2024 in terms of delay and fuel costs compared to eight years ago. That’s about $240 annual cost savings per commuter.
Additionally, the recently released national 2025 Urban Mobility Report found Texas is seeing lower traffic delays compared to other states. Delay per mile of travel in Dallas– Fort Worth and Houston was about 39% lower than in similarly sized cities across the nation, while San Antonio and Austin experienced about 16% less delay.
Projects like Lowest Stemmons in Dallas, which reduced delays by 15%, are a major part of this statewide effort to ease traffic congestion. Another project in Fort Worth on the I-820 corridor also saw delays improve by more than 50%.
This reflects how we’re planning to meet the demand of our growing population and economy decades into the future. By looking at increasing connections in rural areas and providing people with more options to travel, we can make a significant impact in connecting communities and improving the quality of life for all Texans.
It’s clear that our projects are making an impact.
But we know we have a lot more work to do. Every day, more than 1,500 people call the Lone Star State their new home. Many of those who move here are lured in part by a robust economy and the state’s wideopen spaces, helping the state lead the nation in growth.
With growth, however, comes challenges. We continue to see traffic congestion in all parts of the state. While we are seeing improvements, we need to do more to help those who live here today, and those who will live here 30 years from now.
To maintain this progress, investments in our transportation system must continue. The Texas Legislature has already been a great partner in reducing congestion through significant investments, but inflation and a growing state continue to put increasing demands on these resources.
Texas also needs continued support from the federal government, especially as a new nationwide transportation funding bill is set to be considered in 2026. And, Texans need a more equitable return on the federal dollars we receive from Washington, D.C.
It is critical that we continue to invest in our infrastructure. Our economy and our holiday travels demand it.
And my holiday spirit demands it. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” sounds so much better in my living room than in my driver’s seat.
P.S. Drive like a Texan. Kind. Courteous. Safe. The best gift this season is arriving safely to your loved ones.
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