Losing time is costing money for commercial drivers in Toronto, where congestion on Highway 401 now amounts to the equivalent of nearly six work weeks each year.

That is the finding of a new Altitude by Geotab analysis that compares traffic performance on the region’s main free highway with the parallel 407 ETR (express toll route).

The Travel Time vs. Toll Costs report uses aggregated commercial movement data to measure how delays on the 401 affect productivity, emissions and driver workload across the Greater Toronto Area.

The study shows that during peak evening hours, typically between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., commercial vehicles on the 401 lose an estimated 216 hours each year relative to posted speed limit conditions. During the morning peak, between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., drivers lose about 113 hours annually. Vehicles on the 407 generally travel near the speed limit conditions throughout most of the day.

Toll rates

Toll rates on the 407 vary by vehicle class and time period. For a representative segment, light-duty vehicles pay about $49 during the morning peak. Medium-duty vehicles pay about $71, and heavy-duty vehicles about $97. Evening peak tolls rise to roughly $53, $77 and $105, respectively.

Based on these rates, the study estimates annual toll costs of about $13,303 for light-duty vehicles and $26,355 for heavy-duty vehicles if they use the 407 each weekday evening.

Altitude calculates that the associated time savings translate into about $62 per hour saved for light-duty vehicles and $122 per hour saved for heavy-duty vehicles.

The report states that the 216 hours recovered can be redirected into additional deliveries, more efficient scheduling and better use of fleet assets. For operators facing tight margins, Altitude notes that time regained from congestion can have a measurable operational benefit.

The analysis also addresses environmental impacts. Citing research from the International Council on Clean Transportation, the report notes that heavy-duty trucks traveling between 1 and 40 km/h can emit 10 times more nitrogen oxides than trucks moving faster than 50 km/h. According to the data, about one-third of heavy-duty trips on the 401 during the evening peak fall below 40 km/h, contributing to higher emissions than comparable trips on the 407.

Driver wellness is another area highlighted. Commercial drivers reported that roadwork and traffic have made their work more difficult. The study adds that aggressive driving in stop-and-go conditions can reduce fuel efficiency by 10% to 40%, increasing operating expenses and elevating daily stress.

“Data is the playbook for fleet operators,” Nate Veeh, assistant vice president of Altitude, said in a news release. “This analysis proves that commercial movement data does not just measure congestion. It uncovers practical financial and operational decisions. It allows fleets to weigh toll charges against the returns in productivity and driver satisfaction that can be achieved through optimized routing.”