Oakville, Ontario and Atlanta, Georgia November 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Recent Data Analysis Height according to Geotab found that commercial drivers in Toronto could save 216 hours per year, nearly six full work weeks, by using the 407 ETR (toll express route) instead of the parallel toll freeway 401. The report states: “Travel time and fare” uses aggregated commercial transportation data to quantify the significant impact of route choice on fleet performance, fuel costs, emissions, and driver health in one of North America's most congested metropolitan areas. Ultimately, the decision to use a toll road requires fleets to carefully weigh the cost of travel against the potential gains in productivity, sustainability and driver satisfaction.
Key findings:
- Huge time savings: The 216 hours saved per driver per year using the toll route represents nearly six full workweeks of productivity recovery. For fleets, this directly translates into increased deliveries, additional support calls and optimized asset utilization.
- Greener profits: A study found that heavy trucks idling or driving slowly in traffic produce 10 times more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions compared to those driving at a constant, higher speed. For companies that are committed to sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals, routing is a powerful tool for reducing carbon emissions.
- Increased Driver Retention: In today's competitive job market, driver satisfaction is a key factor in employee retention. Reducing the daily stress and frustration of busy traffic can improve morale and reduce costly driver turnover.
Impact of traffic jams
Cities across North America are suffering economic losses due to increased traffic and congestion. American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reports that congestion costs the trucking industry billions of dollars each year due to lost productivity and wasted fuel consumption.
The impact is also being felt by commercial drivers, recently Geotab research it can be assumed that 60% reported that traffic and road works made their work more difficult. The study also notes that aggressive driving, especially in traffic jams, can reduce fuel efficiency by 10-40%, further increasing costs.
“Data is the guide for fleet operators. This analysis proves that commercial transportation data doesn't just measure problems like congestion; it reveals practical, real-world financial and operational solutions. It allows fleets to accurately weigh factors like tolls—a key driver of profit—with the significant payoff in productivity and driver satisfaction that can be achieved through routing optimization. Having data and insights at hand helps make informed decisions that lead to better results for fleets and drivers,” said Nate Wee, Altitude AVP.
To pay or not to pay
Although toll roads make up a small portion of total miles driven in North America, they continue to be a topic of debate among policymakers, transportation planners and commercial fleets seeking relief from traffic congestion.
As many North American cities explored the possibility of tolling, Altitude studied Toronto, North America's fourth-largest city, comparing commercial trucking on a toll highway (401) with a toll highway (407).
Find out how business traffic data from Height according to Geotab you can manage your fleet strategy and download the full report”Travel time compared to fare”
About height from Geotab
Height according to GeotabTMdivision of Geotab, is a leading provider of advanced mobility solutions and solutions to government and commercial sectors throughout North America. Headquartered in Oakville, Ontario and Atlanta, Georgia, we use our data analytics expertise to help decision makers gain a complete understanding of the road network's flow. By providing reliable and contextualized information, we enable enhanced planning capabilities and better financial results while maintaining data privacy and confidentiality. Our solutions enable safer, more efficient and sustainable mobility across North America. Find out more at height.geotab.com and follow us further LinkedIn.
