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

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #451: January 8, 2007
Household Vehicle Trips

In a day, the average household traveled 32.7 miles in 2001 (the latest year for which data are available). This is an increase of 4 miles over 1990 household travel. The average vehicle trip length increased from 8.9 miles in 1990 to 9.9 miles in 2001.

Number of Vehicle Trips and Trip Miles, 1990, 1995, and 2001
Graph showing the number of daily vehicle trips, the average vehicle trip length (miles), and the daily vehicle miles of travel for the average household in 1990, 1995, and 2001. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Supporting Information

Household Vehicle Trips
  Number of Daily Vehicle Trips Average Vehicle Trip Length (Miles) Daily Vehicle Miles of Travel
1990 3.3 8.9 28.5
1995 3.6 9.1 32.1
2001 3.4 9.9 32.9

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Summary of Travel Trends, 2001 National Household Travel Survey, December 2004, p. 12.

 

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