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Car travel now exceeds pre-pandemic levels in most US cities
A recent report shows that vehicle miles traveled in the US have risen 12% since 2019, with New York City’s urban core seeing the largest increase.
In short:
- Driving in most US metropolitan areas is higher than before the pandemic, with a 12% increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from 2019 to 2024.
- NYC saw a 14.7% rise in daily VMT per capita, the highest of any major city center, while Los Angeles saw a 17% decline.
- Remote work and population shifts may be contributing to changes in driving patterns.
Key quote:
“Congestion is pretty stubborn.”
— Emily Adler, director of content at StreetLight Data.
Why this matters:
Increased driving worsens pollution and traffic congestion, both of which complicate efforts to meet climate and public health goals. Policymakers must address infrastructure and urban planning to curb these trends.
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