Anchorage Peak Traffic Delays Surge 22 Percent Across Major Corridors

Anchorage drivers lost 42 hours on average to traffic delays in the first half of 2026, according to data released by the city's traffic operations division on July 10.

The increase comes as population growth and construction projects push more vehicles onto the same limited highway network that already handles 280,000 daily trips across the Anchorage Bowl. Officials say the numbers reflect both longer individual trips and more frequent stops at choke points that did not exist five years ago.

Routes with the Highest Recorded Volumes

Sensors along the Glenn Highway near Muldoon Road and on Minnesota Drive at the Spenard Road interchange recorded the steepest jumps. The Glenn Highway segment saw average weekday volumes climb to 78,000 vehicles, while Minnesota Drive hit 64,000. Both figures exceed the 2024 counts by more than 15 percent. The Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions program, which maintains the sensor network, also flagged rising backups on the Seward Highway between 36th Avenue and Tudor Road during afternoon rush periods.

City data shows the average morning commute from Eagle River to downtown now takes 34 minutes, up from 28 minutes in 2024. Fuel prices averaged $4.62 per gallon at Anchorage stations during the same period, adding roughly $18 per week to the cost of a 22-mile round-trip commute for a typical sedan.

Next Steps for Drivers and Planners

Transportation planners will present updated signal timing proposals at the AMATS meeting on July 23. Drivers can check real-time volumes on the city's traffic app or shift trips away from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on the Glenn and Minnesota corridors to avoid the worst recorded delays.