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Energy Consumption
National Household Travel Survey: Rising Fuel Cost - A Big Impact
Authors:
Federal Highway Administration - 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590
Monograph
6/1/2006
Abstract:
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. Pickups
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.
Subject areas and Index Terms
Economics; Energy; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration; I15: Environment
Economic impacts; Expenditures; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Highway travel; Prices; Rural areas;
Travel behavior; Travel surveys; Urban areas; Vehicle size; Vehicles by weight
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