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
Image
Image
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.
Supporting Information
| Trip Purpose | Trip Length (Miles) | Share of Trips |
|---|---|---|
| To/from work | 12.2 | 22.3% |
| Work-related business | 17.2 | 3.9% |
| Shopping | 6.5 | 22.8% |
| Other family/personal business | 6.8 | 21.9% |
| School/church | 8.8 | 5.0% |
| Medical/dental | 9.9 | 2.6% |
| Vacation | 31.4 | 0.7% |
| Visit friends/relatives | 15.7 | 5.7% |
| Other social/recreational | 8.6 | 14.9% |
| Other | 19 | 0.3% |
| All | 9.7 | 100.0% |