Average Trip Length is Less Than Ten Miles
May 21, 2012
The average trip length (one-way) is 9.7 miles according to the 2009 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey. Trip lengths vary by the purpose of the trip. Shopping and family/personal business are the shortest trips, on average. One-way trips to/from work average 12.2 miles.
Trip Length by Purpose, 2009
Note
A trip is defined as one-way travel from one address to another address. For specific definitions of trip purposes, see pdf page 77 of the Summary of Travel Trends: 2009 National Household Travel Survey.