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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #552: January 5, 2009
Vehicle Miles of Travel by Region

Total vehicle miles of travel (VMT) in the U.S. have declined from 2007 to 2008. The latest data available, September 2008, shows a 4.4% decline in travel that varies by region. Comparing September 2007 to September 2008, the South Atlantic and South Gulf regions experienced VMT declines of more than 5%. Total U.S. cumulative VMT for 2008 (January-September) is 3.5% less than the same time period one year ago.

VMT by Region (in billons), September 2008
[Percentage Change Compared to Same Month Last Year]
Sectional map of the U.S. showing the vehicle miles traveled by region (West, North Central, South Gulf, Northeast, and South Atlantic) comparing 2007 to 2008. All regions have experienced a decline in the last year. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Supporting Information

VMT by Region, September 2008
Region Total Travel
(billions)		 Percentage Change,
Sept. 2007 to
Sept. 2008
South-Atlanta 48.2 -5.7%
South-Gulf 45.0 -5.2%
North-East 37.3 -3.4%
North-Central 53.4 -4.0%
West 49.0 -3.6%
Total 232.8 -4.4%

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Traffic Volume Trends September 2008 (PDF 154 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

 

Return to 2009 Facts of the Week