Since 1980, every subsequent year has seen an increase in the total number of miles driven by Americans, year-over-year. But that could all change if motorists continue to cut back on driving in 2008. Overall miles driven have declined every month so far this year, and it doesn’t look like that’s about to change.
“We’re seeing a sustained dropoff over a prolonged period, and a significant dropoff that we expect will continue,” Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said during a conference call, according to Bloomberg.
So far this year, road travel is down 2.4 percent, according to data released by the Federal Highway Administration. Now halfway through the year, it would take nothing short of an economic miracle to sustain the 28-year growth trend.
With 2008’s fate all but sealed, most analysts are turning their attention to 2009. With financial turmoil far from over in many segments of the U.S. economy, it remains to be seen whether next year will fare any better.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. While road travel is down, most of the decline can be attributed to a reduction in arguably unnecessary trips or distances. According to consulting firm Deloitte & Touche, most Americans traveled closer to home on Memorial Day. For example, many families opted for local beaches rather than distant ones.
“We’re tending to cut out the leisure driving first,” explained researcher David Ellis at the Texas Transportation Institute. Hardly cause for panic — but a sign of the times nonetheless.
07/29, 11:08 PM
posted by:
bolex
high gas prices, people cut down on driving…i cant believe people research this and get payed to tell me this stuff.
07/29, 11:12 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Oh… road travel. I thought I was going to have to start taking FLOMAX.
07/29, 11:20 PM
posted by:
justinhk2000
Thank you for telling me this. You just wrote 6 paragraphs of absolute useless crap that i already knew since last year and i just wasted 10 min hoping to find some new details but failed to do so. Thanks again
07/30, 12:16 AM
posted by:
Turkle
No, what is really sad is that the government is already complaining that there will be a significant short fall in funding for highway infrastructure maintenance (forget improvement). This is due to the fewer fuel tax monies that are being brought in with the reduction of road travel. Oh, these pathetic short sighted morons. Congress, Senate, and the President want to shove fuel efficiency down our throats, but then bitch when they don’t get as much money in fuel taxes from us. Connect the dots you mental midgets (no offense short people), if you force us to all drive 1.4L 4 bangers, expect us to 1) drive less, and 2) get better fuel efficiency on those rare occasions that we decide to get into our road appliances to go some place.
07/30, 2:04 AM
posted by:
maxcar
does this mean drive-thrus are on the way out too? you know what’s next… the end of the american fat ass. less weight = better fuel economy. by my calculations, that’s at least 0.1 mpg/ass.
07/30, 2:11 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
bolex: right on! Announcing this crap as “research” and even having a conference call for it is just ridiculous. Anyone with more than two neurons can understand this simple fact: fuel prices up = driving distances down. I mean…for Christ’s sake, it’s f*cking logic, damn it!
07/30, 2:32 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
The scarey thing is that with OnStar, the miles that people really drive can actually be calculated, not merely estimated. And then GM, after trying to convince us that OnStar is for the benefit of consumers, can sell the data to insurance companies, among other companies.
07/30, 7:22 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
LOL johnnycanuck! Having a weak stream?
07/30, 8:50 AM
posted by:
xyunya
Deanster, one thing for certain: prostate growth, unlike investment portfolio
07/30, 9:24 AM
posted by:
Fleming in Tennessee
If our so called leaders would STOP giving OUR money away to everyone in the world, WE could fix every bridge, repair every road, fix Social Security, Medicare and just about everything that needs fixing in this Great USofA!!! What a novel idea…
07/30, 11:04 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
thats true Fleming, if the US paid as much attention to it’s homeland instead of the world we might be in better shape, it’s like the US is the worlds babysitter, if something goes wrong somewhere else, people get pissed that we don’t get involved, and if we do get involved people get pissed
07/30, 11:28 AM
posted by:
xyunya
^^^ how perfect roads affect cost of gas? travel declined not because of poor roads or bridges, but cost of fuel.
07/30, 11:56 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
i like smooth roads that are as smooth as a females booty
07/30, 12:35 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
bootys are curvy. that would decrease mileage since you would be driving up the incline…
07/30, 12:49 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
…always remember to keep your vehicle well lubed if you’re inclined to travel the Hershey Highway.
07/30, 1:35 PM
posted by:
ktulu
I do not care, I-15 & I 84 R downright oealsont to ride on ghses tdays.
an economic miracle mite B somthingbthat lests us drive even less! t
The governments need 2 quit diverting highway infrastructure $ 4 other stuff.
drive-thrus R not on the way out, but people R going in more.
OnStar is big broither
the US is trying 2 B the worlds babysitter & cop. We can’t afford oit!
not all bootys are curvy. hjust the best 1s
yes, Hershey Highway is more likely 2 gener8 return invit8tions idf the lubrication is properluy habdked
07/30, 1:54 PM
posted by:
shaver
Gas has gone up some most every year since ‘99. This story is really how $4 is the magic number. But I believe consumer confidence, the mortgage crisis as well as speculation that food costs are rising and people losing their jobs are factors in people cutting costs on all levels. Including driving less.
Fact is costs up, wages down, personal worth is down. People are watching every penny out of need or fear.