U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #390: September 19, 2005
Stretch Commuting

According to the latest National Household Travel Survey, about 3.3 million people travel 50 miles or more one-way to get to work. A commute of 50 miles or more is called a "stretch commute." Most stretch commute trips are 50-74 miles in length (one-way) in a personal vehicle. Over 80% of stretch commutes were made by males and nearly 60% by those with a household income over $50,000.

Statistics on Stretch Commuting
Graph showing statistics on people who travel 50 miles or more one-way to get to work.

Supporting Information

Statistics on Stretch Commuting
  Percent of Stretch Commuting Trips
Distance  
50-74 miles 62%
75-99 miles 19%
100-124 miles 7%
125-199 miles 6%
200+ miles 6%
   
Mode  
Personal vehicle 96%
Air travel 1%
Other 3%
   
Gender  
Male 84%
Female 16%
   
Household income  
Less than $25,000 13%
$25,000 - $49,000 29%
More than $50,000 58%
   
Occupation  
Manufacturing/construction 44%
Professional/managerial/technical 40%
Sales/service 13%
Clerical/administrative 3%

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics Press Release, May 12, 2004.

 

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