TomTom Releases New Report on U.S. Airport Road Traffic Trends

Core Insights - The report by TomTom analyzes road congestion around major U.S. airports during peak travel periods, including the recent federal shutdown, highlighting how these events impact traveler experiences [1][11]. Summary by Categories Congestion Patterns - Major airports like LAX experienced significant congestion, with travel times exceeding 35 minutes per 6 miles during Thanksgiving and Christmas 2024, while other airports like DCA and MIA showed slower but consistent patterns [3][5]. - During the November 2025 federal shutdown, many airports, including BOS and DCA, saw improved traffic conditions, with some reporting double-digit percentage improvements in travel times [6][9]. Holiday Travel Impact - The analysis indicates that holiday travel amplifies existing congestion patterns rather than changing them, with LAX consistently being the most congested airport [5][6]. - Airports that typically disperse travel demand, such as BOS and JFK, maintained smoother traffic conditions, often running 20-60% faster than the most congested airports [6]. Seasonal Trends - Summer holidays in 2025 revealed a divided pattern, with JFK, MIA, and BOS experiencing lower congestion, while IAH and LAX faced elevated delays [8]. - The report emphasizes that holiday and shutdown impacts vary more by region than by season, indicating local behavior as a key driver of congestion [6][9]. Data Analysis Methodology - TomTom's analysis utilized anonymized speed and travel-time data from over 600 million connected devices, evaluating primary access roads around 11 major U.S. airports [14][15]. - The report calculated real-world travel times relative to typical conditions, providing insights into national trends and regional differences in airport-area congestion [14][15].