The preliminary estimates from the Federal Highway Administration show that vehicle-miles of travel (VMT) increased slightly in 2010 over the previous year, but have not surpassed the peak of 3.03 trillion miles in 2007. Total U.S. VMT declined during the economic downturns in the mid-70's, early 80's, and in 2008.
Total Vehicle-Miles of Travel, 1970-2010
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Supporting Information
| Year | Trillion Miles | Year | Trillion Miles | |
| 1970 | 1.11 | 1991 | 2.17 | |
| 1971 | 1.18 | 1992 | 2.25 | |
| 1972 | 1.26 | 1993 | 2.30 | |
| 1973 | 1.31 | 1994 | 2.36 | |
| 1974 | 1.28 | 1995 | 2.42 | |
| 1975 | 1.33 | 1996 | 2.49 | |
| 1976 | 1.40 | 1997 | 2.56 | |
| 1977 | 1.47 | 1998 | 2.63 | |
| 1978 | 1.54 | 1999 | 2.69 | |
| 1979 | 1.53 | 2000 | 2.75 | |
| 1980 | 1.53 | 2001 | 2.79 | |
| 1981 | 1.56 | 2002 | 2.86 | |
| 1982 | 1.60 | 2003 | 2.89 | |
| 1983 | 1.65 | 2004 | 2.96 | |
| 1984 | 1.72 | 2005 | 2.99 | |
| 1985 | 1.77 | 2006 | 3.01 | |
| 1986 | 1.83 | 2007 | 3.03 | |
| 1987 | 1.92 | 2008 | 2.97 | |
| 1988 | 2.03 | 2009 | 2.98 | |
| 1989 | 2.10 | 2010 | 3.00 | |
| 1990 | 2.14 | |||
Sources: 1970-2008: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics Series. | ||||