Fact #403: December 19, 2005
Travel Changes Due to Rising Cost of Gasoline

In an October survey, people were asked about changes in their travel behavior due to the rising cost of gasoline. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they had decided to buy a more fuel efficient car, while 44% said they had eliminated some non-commute trips entirely. Two-thirds of the respondents indicated that they had combined several stops into one trip.

Question: Has the rising cost of gasoline caused you to change your commuting and non-commuting trips by any of the following means?
Graph showing survey results of respondents asked what travel changes they have made due to the rising cost of gasoline.

Supporting Information

Question: Has the rising cost of gasoline caused you to change your commuting and non-commuting trips by any of the following means?
Combined several stops into one trip 76%
Eliminated some non-commute trips entirely 44%
Decided to buy a more fuel efficient car 35%
Started bicycling/walking more often 25%
Looked for home closer to work 21%
Started carpooling or vanpooling more often 20%
Started using the bus or train more often 11%
Did not make any changes in non-commute travel 13%

Source: Harris Interactive, Transportation Survey Results, telephone survey conducted Sept. 30 – Oct. 6, 2005, N=1000.

 

Return to 2005 Facts of the Week