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.

Linda Poon reports for Bloomberg.

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.

Read more:

• Op-ed: Another road is possible
• Op-ed: The climate crisis demands a move away from car dependency
• Editorial: Bicycling is having a moment—let’s use it to make riding more safe and inclusive