The Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Commission has released the latest report on Traffic Volume Trends, data through June.
Travel on all roads and streets decreased in June. The 12-month moving average was down 0.03% month-over-month and was up 1.40% year-over-year. If we factor in population growth, the 12-month MA of the civilian population-adjusted data (age 16-and-over) was down 0.10% MoM and up 0.78% YoY.
Here's a detailed map of regional driving:
Source: Traffic Volume Trends June 2024
Here is a chart that illustrates this data series from its inception in 1971. It illustrates the "Moving 12-Month Total on ALL Roads," as the DOT terms it. As we can readily see, the great recession had a substantial impact on our driving habits, but habits bounced back over the next five or so years, until the COVID pandemic. The decline in driving was most likely related to the cost of gasoline during that time period (see fourth chart below).
The rolling 12-month miles traveled contracted from its all-time high for 39 months during the stagflation of the late 1970s to early 1980s, a double-dip recession era. But -- the COVID pandemic had a much greater impact on driving as Americans stayed home for work, meals, and entertainment. It was the largest and steepest decline in the history of this data set.
Vehicle Miles Traveled: The Population-Adjusted Reality
Total miles traveled, however, is one of those metrics that should be adjusted for population growth to provide the most meaningful analysis, especially if we want to understand the historical context. We can do a quick adjustment of the data using an appropriate population group as the deflator. Let's use the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Civilian Noninstitutional Population Age 16 and Over (FRED series CNP16OV). The next chart incorporates that adjustment with the growth shown on the vertical axis as the percent change from 1971.
Clearly, when we adjust for population growth, the miles-traveled metric takes on a weaker look. The nominal 39-month dip that began in May 1979 grows to 61 months, slightly more than five years. The trough was a 6% decline from the previous peak. The COVID recession and its impact on driving still looks dire when adjusting for population. We would estimate the number of months from peak to peak, but we still haven't reached pre-pandemic driving levels... and may never again!
