National Household Travel Survey: Rising Fuel Cost - A Big Impact

Transportation accounts for almost 70 percent of all petroleum used in the U.S., and private (passenger) vehicle travel accounts for 82 percent of all vehicle miles of travel. Recent increases in the cost of motor fuel are raising questions about the impact of higher fuel prices on the economy and the daily travel of Americans. If U.S. households continue to drive at the same rates, they will pay more than double in annual motor fuel expenditures this year compared to five years ago. The type of vehicle driven has a significant impact on the amount of money paid at the pump. Fuel expenditures for the average passenger car are approximately 24 percent less than the average sports utility vehicle (SUV) or pick-up truck. Pick-ups and SUVs are less fuel-efficient and are driven more miles on average. People living in rural areas are impacted more than people living in urban areas. Rural drivers tend to drive more, and often own less fuel efficient vehicles than urban drivers.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 4p
  • Serial:
    • NHTS Brief
    • Publisher: Federal Highway Administration

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01120550
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Jan 30 2009 7:39AM