Write Up:

Compared to the first quarter of 2025, average travel times in the first quarter of 2026 decreased during three of the four studied peak periods. In the St. Louis region, average travel times decreased by 17 seconds during the morning peak and by 22 seconds during the evening peak. In the Kansas City region, average travel times decreased by 22 seconds during the morning peak and increased by 18 seconds during the evening peak. Average speeds across both regions and all peak periods ranged from 55 to 61 miles per hour. Two of the four peaks fell below the average travel time target.

Planning time accounts for unexpected delays and indicates how much time customers should plan for their trip to arrive on time 95% of the time. In St. Louis, motorists traveling during the morning rush needed to plan an additional two minutes and five seconds for a 10-mile trip compared to free-flow conditions. During the evening rush, customers needed to plan an additional two minutes and 56 seconds. In Kansas City, motorists traveling during the morning rush needed to plan an additional two minutes and 35 seconds for a 10-mile trip compared to free-flow conditions. During the evening rush, customers needed to plan an additional four minutes and 49 seconds. Planning times for the first quarter of 2026, compared to the first quarter of 2025, decreased across three of the four studied peaks (with the Kansas City evening peak increasing). Planning times for both regions represent average rush-hour speeds between 40 and 50 mph.

Purpose of the Measure:

This measure tracks the mobility of significant state routes in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Travel time data is collected continuously via wireless technology. To assess mobility, MoDOT compares travel times during rush hour to free-flow conditions where vehicles can travel at the posted speed limit. This measure also assesses reliability, an indicator of how variable those travel times are daily.

The charts in this measure show the average travel time and the 95th percentile travel time, which is the time motorists should plan to reach their destinations timely 95% of the time.

The maps display the reliability of specific sections of roadways during rush hour.

The targets for average travel time are updated quarterly. The targets are established by projecting a 10% improvement over the average travel time of the same quarter over the previous two years. The minimum value for the target time is 10 minutes. This corresponds to the time it takes to travel 10 miles at the posted speed limit of 60 miles per hour.