Fact #670: April 11, 2011
Vehicle-Miles of Travel Rises in 2010

The preliminary estimates from the Federal Highway Administration show that vehicle-miles of travel (VMT) increased slightly in 2010 over the previous year, but have not surpassed the peak of 3.03 trillion miles in 2007. Total U.S. VMT declined during the economic downturns in the mid-70's, early 80's, and in 2008.

Supporting Information

Total Vehicle-Miles of Travel, 1970-2010

Year	Trillion Miles		Year	Trillion Miles
1970	1.11		1991	2.17
1971	1.18		1992	2.25
1972	1.26		1993	2.30
1973	1.31		1994	2.36
1974	1.28		1995	2.42
1975	1.33		1996	2.49
1976	1.40		1997	2.56
1977	1.47		1998	2.63
1978	1.54		1999	2.69
1979	1.53		2000	2.75
1980	1.53		2001	2.79
1981	1.56		2002	2.86
1982	1.60		2003	2.89
1983	1.65		2004	2.96
1984	1.72		2005	2.99
1985	1.77		2006	3.01
1986	1.83		2007	3.03
1987	1.92		2008	2.97
1988	2.03		2009	2.98
1989	2.10		2010	3.00
1990	2.14
Sources: 1970-2008: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics Series. 2009-2010: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Traffic Volume Trends.

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