According to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), travel on all roads and streets changed for March 2017 by 0.8 percent, or 2.2 billion vehicle miles, compared to March 2016.
Seasonally adjusted figures represent a 0.5 percent, or 1.3 billion vehicle miles, increase in miles driven to 265.2 billion for March 2017 over March 2016. Month-over-month seasonally adjusted figures show a decline of 0.5 percent.
Travel for the month is estimated to be 272 billion vehicle miles, compared to March 2016’s estimate of 273 billion.
Cumulative travel for the year increased by 1.5 percent, or 11.4 billion vehicle miles, to 747.2 billion vehicle miles.
Comparing year-over-year figures, the North East region represented the largest decline of 3.2 percent. Of the five regions, the largest increase was in the South Gulf, up 2 percent.
Year-over-year figures in billions:
Region | March 2016 | March 2017 | Percent Change |
Northeast | 38.4 | 36.7 | -3.2 |
South Atlantic | 60.6 | 60.4 | 0.7 |
North Central | 59.3 | 58.3 | 0.5 |
South Gulf | 54.7 | 56.8 | 2.0 |
West | 60.3 | 59.8 | 2.8 |
Total | 273,300
(billion) |
272,000
(billion) |
0.8 |