U.S. Residents Depend on Personal Vehicles for Travel

U.S. residents predominantly rely on personal vehicles for their travel needs, reflecting a trend towards individual motorization. This dependence shapes transportation choices across the country, influencing commuting patterns, environmental impacts, and urban planning. As public transport options vary, personal vehicles remain the preferred mode of travel for many, underscoring the importance of car ownership in American mobility.

According to the latest National Household Travel Survey by the Federal Highway Association, nearly 90% of trips in the U.S. were made using a car, SUV, pickup truck, or van in 2022. This marks a decline in the role of walking, which dropped 3.6% to 6.9% compared to the 2017 survey.

The study, which included over 7,000 randomly selected U.S. households surveyed from January 2022 to January 2023, revealed that other forms of personal transportation accounted for just 1.2% of total trips. Bicycles, the only significant non-motorized option noted, represented 0.9%.

Public and commuter buses also had a 0.9% share of all trips, making bus travel the most utilized form of public transit. This trend may be attributed to the survey’s nationwide scope, which includes areas with less access to well-connected rail systems. Only 0.4% of trips were made using subways or elevated rail, while commuter trains accounted for just 0.1%.

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Source: Statista‍