Getting a driver’s license used to be a right of passage for 16-year-olds. But increasingly, more teens are putting off getting their licenses. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), fewer than 26 percent of 16-year-olds were licensed drivers in 2018, down from 44 percent in 1980. This phenomenon is part of a general shift in America’s car culture—auto sales have been declining for the last few years, and there has been an increase in other forms of transportation, such as ride-sharing, bikeshare, and scooters.
Despite the decline in auto sales and increased popularity of alternative modes of transportation, America remains a global leader when it comes to driving. Compared to Western European countries, the U.S. is more car-dependent for a variety of reasons, including its size, suburban sprawl, less expensive gas, and underdeveloped public transportation. In many U.S. cities, driving a car is practically a necessity to get to work, school, or the grocery store.
Car-dependency varies widely across cities and states, depending on public transportation options, geography, bikeability, walkability, and culture. Nebraska and North Dakota claim the top two spots in the country for average annual miles per driver, with drivers in these states driving an average of 15,390 and 14,393 annual miles, respectively. The national average is 11,621 miles. Alaskan residents drive the fewest, at just over 8,000 miles annually.
To determine the most car-dependent metros in the U.S., researchers at 360 Quote analyzed data from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Household Transportation Survey and the U.S Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Major metropolitan areas with over one million residents were ranked according to the average annual miles per driver. The researchers also calculated the average annual miles per vehicle, the share of workers who commute by car, and the share of workers in households with two or more vehicles available.
The analysis found that New York is the 3rd least car-dependent state in the U.S. Here is a summary of the data for the New York:
- Average annual miles per driver: 9,082
- Average annual miles per vehicle: 11,087
- Share of workers who commute by car: 59.4%
- Share of workers in households with 2+ vehicles: 52.1%
For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:
- Average annual miles per driver: 11,621
- Average annual miles per vehicle: 11,131
- Share of workers who commute by car: 85.3%
- Share of workers in households with 2+ vehicles: 75.6%
For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report here: https://www.comparecarinsurance.com/car-dependency-by-city.
