Condition & Capacity
The nation’s roads have had to accommodate increased vehicle travel and a growing population in recent years. Roads with the highest speeds and the highest volumes of traffic are generally prioritized for funding and therefore are typically in the best condition. Based on miles, the share of pavements on roads eligible for federal funding with good ride quality improved between 2008 and 2018, rising from 40.7% to 47.2%. However, the share of federal-aid highway pavements with poor ride quality also grew during this period, increasing from 15.8% to 22.6%. Deteriorated roads result in additional operating costs in the form of vehicle repairs and tire wear. Additional vehicle operating costs totaled $725 per motorist in 2023.
The pandemic brought with it an increase in teleworking and affected how people used or did not use roads. Hybrid jobs (employees worked from home at least one day per week) increased from 4.1% in 2020 to 5.7% in 2021. The number of vehicle trips to and from work declined from 53.1 million in 2017 to 41.3 million in 2022, a 28% drop. Yet “commute VMT” remained at a little less than one-third of total VMT between these years.
In addition to an increase in working from home, travel shifted across other modes. Americans opted for modes such as biking, which allowed them to socially distance. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics indicates national expenditures on bicycles and related accessories increased in the years following the pandemic’s start, and total bikeshare ridership on six of the largest systems increased 42% from March 2020 to March 2023.
Over the last few years, the pattern of road use has changed due to increased remote work and other factors. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has found that morning and evening peak periods include not only commutes but also shopping trips, school drop-off and pick-up runs, and other nonwork trips. School trips in particular have experienced a shift. In 2022, 53.2% of U.S. students were dropped off at school or drove themselves rather than take the bus, bicycle, or walk. This figure represents an increase from 46.4% in 2009.
After dipping drastically due to the pandemic, VMT has rebounded to nearly 2019 levels, reaching 3.19 trillion miles in the U.S. in 2023, a slight increase from 2022.
The typical U.S. driver lost 43 hours to traffic congestion and $771 worth of time in 2024, up from 42 hours and $733 in 2023. These amounts of time lost are equivalent to spending one work week per year sitting in traffic. Congestion negatively affects people headed to their destinations and goods on their way to market. While congestion has traditionally been reported, travel time reliability has increasingly measured roadway network performance. A reliable network allows for consistent travel times during peak period trips; drivers can accurately plan for extra time. Significant challenges occur when the network is unreliable, delaying people and products.
Freight transportation also affects the roadway system. One consideration with trucks, and vehicles in general, is their weight’s impact on pavement. Vehicle weight, from sedans to minivans, has increased over the past 40 years, and electric vehicles are heavier still due to their batteries. Trucking accounts for the largest share of freight movement, and freight moved by truck is expected to increase 91% by value and 53% by weight between 2022 and 2050.
