Average vehicle miles driven rose in almost every major metropolitan area between 2019 and 2024.
The reduction in driving brought on by the pandemic doesn’t seem to be a lasting effect, writes Linda Poon in Bloomberg CityLab. In fact, between May 2019 and May 2024, total miles traveled (VMT) in the United States grew by 12 percent to the highest level ever recorded, according to a report from StreetLight Data.
The report also suggests that VMT is rising faster now than it was when driving levels first rebounded from the pandemic in 2021 — a worrying trend for advocates working to reform transportation, the largest contributor to US carbon emissions.
VMT grew in almost every U.S. metro area and in most central city neighborhoods, including a 14.7 percent growth in New York City’s core, highlighting the potential benefits of the city’s now-canceled congestion pricing plan.
Across the country, famously car-centric Los Angeles saw a 17 percent decline in average daily VMT. “Other areas among the top five are also in California, including the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura area with a 16% decline and the San Francisco Bay Area with a 13% decline — though the study does not dive into potential reasons for the dips.”
Brookings senior fellow Adie Tomer says more work is needed to understand why these changes happen. “Declines in VMT could be a result of deliberate urban planning and infrastructure changes to rein in driving. They could also be a consequence of remote work policies and population shifts, not only away from the metro area but within it.”
FULL STORY: US Driving and Congestion Rates Are Higher Than Ever
San Francisco ‘Best-Performing Metro’ for VMT, Traffic Reduction
The city saw a 13 percent drop in miles driven per capita in the last five years.
How Autonomous Cars Can Induce Sprawl and Sabotage Climate Goals
Robotaxis can lead to longer, more frequent trips and are projected to increase VMT by as much as 83 percent.
From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game
Not all cities have benefited equally from congestion relief brought on by shifting commuting patterns.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
A Troubling Trend of Backlash to Bike Lanes
Some cities are going so far as to rip out protected bike infrastructure that took years of advocacy to build.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Parks for All: LA Looks to Residents to Help Shape Park Equity and Access
Los Angeles is launching a citywide park needs assessment to gather resident input on improving its park system, addressing inequities in access, and making the case for increased funding and long-term investments.
Trump Administration Takes Aim at Transportation Research
Researchers warn of a “chilling environment” as studies examining road safety and other topics are killed off and layoffs hit federal agencies.
LA’s Trees Absorb More Carbon Than Expected, But Can’t Do It Alone
A USC study finds that Los Angeles’ urban trees absorb more carbon than expected, but while they provide crucial environmental benefits, they cannot replace the urgent need for systemic emissions reductions.
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