U.S. drivers continue to cut back travel

Posted Wed Jul 30 2008 12:41 PM by Nelson Ireson

Rising fuel prices are having a real impact on American driving habits for the first time in decades. Over 40 billion fewer total miles were driven through the first four months of 2008 than over the same period in 2007. In May alone, Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles than the previous year.

This constitutes the single largest and most enduring decline in vehicle miles traveled since the U.S. Department of Transportation began keeping statistics on the matter, according to CNNMoney.com. The main avenues of escape from miles driven are trains, buses and bicycles, in addition to an increase in telecommuting, which eliminates the commute altogether.

The primary cause, of course, is the high price of fuel. Whether miles driven will return to previous rates as fuel prices drop is yet unknown, however.

A somewhat unforeseen consequence of the rise in fuel prices and the drop in use has been the decreased tax revenue generated by fuel sales. While the price has gone up, the tax has not, so decreased road use means fewer gallons sold, and less money in government coffers.

Reader Comments

Wed Jul 30 2008 2:39 PM
Gus says

You don't really notice it as much here in Southern California. Just this weekend the roads to San Diego for the weekend were as packed as ever.
Maybe it's because the average income here is much higher than in other parts of the country, so the price of gasoline makes up a smaller portion of one's expenditures relative to others.
Wed Jul 30 2008 4:18 PM
Tizz says

Weird, that looks like the Crosstown in Tampa...
Wed Jul 30 2008 9:12 PM
jim says

that is totally the Crosstown in Tampa !!!....good eye Tizz

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