November 2022 figures from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) show that vehicle miles traveled were trending downward for nearly every region of the United States.
The administration’s traffic trends for November 2022 show a 3.5 billion decrease in vehicle miles, or -1.3%, from November 2021. Overall travel for the month was 264.2 billion vehicle miles and 272.1 billion miles when seasonally adjusted. The former includes 81.6 billion vehicle miles on rural roads and 182.6 billion vehicle miles on urban roads and streets, while the latter figure marks a 1.1% decrease, or 3 billion vehicle miles, when compared to October 2022. It also marks a 1.4% decrease from November 2021 figures, down 3.8 billion vehicle miles.
Cumulative travel in 2022 changed by 1.2%, or 35.8 billion vehicle miles. The cumulative estimate for the year is 2,994.8 billion vehicle miles of travel, according to the administration.
All but two U.S. regions saw decreases in estimated vehicle miles of travel from one year to the next. The Northeast saw 35.1 billion miles in November 2022, the same as the estimated figure from one year prior.
The South Atlantic recorded approximately 60.3 billion miles, the same as figures from November 2021. North Central saw a 1.8% decrease with 57.1 billion miles traveled, and the South Gulf a 1.5% decrease with 55.7 billion miles clocked. Vehicles in the West traveled 56 billion miles, a 2.6% decrease over the same time last year.
When examining month-to-month figures, October 2022 saw the Northeast clock 38.1 billion vehicle miles traveled and the South Atlantic 63.4 billion miles traveled. North Central totaled 62.9 billion vehicle miles traveled, the South Gulf 59.4 billion and the West 62.2 billion.
The chart below by the FHA features vehicle miles of travel by region for November 2022 (in billions of miles). Percentage change is shown as compared to November 2021.
November 2022 vs. November 2021 Vehicle Miles Driven
By Region Compared to 2021 (in Billions of Miles)
| Region | Total Travel November 2022 | Total Travel November 2021 | Percentage Change |
| Northeast | 35.1 | 35.1 | 0 |
| South Atlantic | 60.3 | 60.3 | 0 |
| North Central | 57.1 | 58.2 | -1.8 |
| South Gulf | 55.7 | 56.6 | -1.5 |
| West | 56.0 | 57.3 | -2.2 |
| U.S. Totals | 264.2 | 267.6 | -1.2 |
The chart below shows the difference in vehicle miles of travel in November 2022 when compared to the month prior.
November 2022 vs. October 2022 Vehicle Miles Driven
By Region Compared to 2021 (in Billions of Miles)
| Region | Total Travel November 2022 | Total Travel
October 2022 |
Percentage Change |
| Northeast | 35.1 | 38.1 | -7.8 |
| South Atlantic | 60.3 | 63.4 | -4.8 |
| North Central | 57.1 | 62.9 | -9.2 |
| South Gulf | 55.7 | 59.4 | -6.2 |
| West | 56.0 | 62.2 | -9.9 |
| U.S. Totals | 264.2 | 286 | -7.6 |
