Tri-Cities US 395 and SR 240 - Severe congestion
On this page:
Measures of severe congestion on US 395 and SR 240 in the Tri-Cities
Severe congestion
Severe congestion occurs when highway travel speeds are slower than 60% of the posted speed (about 36 mph for a 60 mph speed limit) leading to reduced highway efficiency. Refer to WSDOT's how to calculate severe congestion(PDF 5.9MB).
Sources: WSDOT Transportation Safety and Systems Analysis Division and WSDOT TRACFLOW (https://tracflow.wsdot.wa.gov/)
Performance highlights
Severe congestion on US 395 and SR 240 in the Tri-cities area worsened in 2023 compared to 2022, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Commuters traveling on SR 240 between I-182 and Stevens Road experienced severe congestion with speeds of 36 mph or less:
- At 7:50 a.m. on 44.2% of weekdays in 2023, up from 25.0% in 2022.
Likewise, travelers experienced less severe congestion southbound on SR 240 between Stevens Road and I-182:
- At 4:45 p.m. on 69.6% of weekdays in 2023, compared to 71.2% in 2022.
Commuters traveling from Pasco to Kennewick on US 395 experienced more severe congestion speeds of 36 mph or less:
- At 5:20 p.m. on 41.5% of weekdays in 2023, compared to 29.6% in 2022.
In 2022, severe congestion in general increased compared to 2021, due to the ongoing recovery of traffic volume in the wake of COVID-19, and even worse than pre-pandemic level on some corridors. In 2022, commuters from Kennewick to Pasco on US 395 experienced similar severe congestion (speeds of 36 mph or less) compared to 2021.
Commuters from Stevens Road to I-182 on SR 240 traveled in severely congested conditions (speeds of 36 mph or less) in 2022, which increased compared to 2021.
In 2021, severe congestion increased compared to 2020 and reached almost to the 2019 level, due to the recovery of traffic volume in the wake of COVID-19. In 2021, commuters from Kennewick to Pasco on US 395 experienced a significant increase in severe congestion (speeds of 36 mph or less) compared to 2020.
Commuters from Stevens Road to I-182 on SR 240 traveled in severely congested conditions (speeds of 36 mph or less) in 2021, a significant increase compared to 2020.
In 2020, due to the statewide response to COVID-19 there was significant decrease in severe congestion compared to previous years. Commuters from Kennewick to Pasco on US 395 experienced significant reductions in severe congestion (speeds of 36 mph or less) in 2020, compared to 2019.
Commuters from Stevens Road to I-182 on SR 240 traveled in severely congested conditions (speeds of 36 mph or less) in 2020 also experienced significant reduction compared to 2019.
Commuters from Kennewick to Pasco on US 395 traveled in severely congested conditions (speeds of 36 mph or less) in 2019 is similar to that in 2018.
Commuters from Stevens Road to I-182 on SR 240 traveled in severely congested conditions (speeds of 36 mph or less) in 2019 is similar to that in 2018.