US DRIVING HITS NEW RECORD IN 2023, TOPPING PRE-COVID LEVELS
In 2023, travel on U.S. roads surged by 2.1%, reaching a total of 3.263 trillion miles, setting a new yearly record and surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels for the first time. This increase amounted to 67.5 billion additional miles traveled compared to the previous year. In December alone, road travel rose by 2.2%, based on preliminary data.
The resurgence in driving activity marks a significant rebound from the decline experienced after the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns in early 2020, when many people shifted to remote work arrangements. Now, with businesses and federal agencies urging employees to return to offices, more Americans are commuting regularly, contributing to the uptick in road travel. Lower retail gasoline prices also played a role in driving activity, with prices averaging $0.43 per gallon less in 2023 compared to 2022, according to data from the U.S. Energy Department. The average retail price for regular-grade gasoline stood at $3.52 per gallon last year, a result of reduced crude oil prices in 2023 relative to the previous year.
Comments