Americans drive 20 billion fewer miles in 2008, gas-prices to blame

Posted: Jun 19, 2008
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According to the Transportation Department, Americans drove 1.4 billion fewer highway miles in April 2008 than they did during the same period a year ago. Overall this year, Americans have driven 20 billion fewer miles and nearly 30 billion fewer miles since November.

Of course, gas-prices are being blamed for the monthly drops. The Transportation Department says that the April drop is three times larger than the drop from March 2007 to March of this year which was about 400 million fewer highway miles.

The department is concerned that the decline can result in fewer gas-taxes. The taxes which are given to the Federal Highway Trust Fund, gets 18.4 cents per gallon from gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon from diesel fuel.

Hey – at least it’s all good news for the environment. Fewer miles means less pollution. Not to mention consumers are shifting their interests to more compact cars that return a high fuel-economy. So don’t hate the high gas-prices too much!

Source: CNN


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  • Joe Green

    According to the Energy Information Administration each gallon of gasoline burned produces 19.564 pounds of CO2. Assuming an average EPA rating of 25 mpg per vehicle, that's 800 million gallons of gasoline not purchased this year and 15.6 billion pounds of CO2 not releaqsed in the atmosphere. Shouldn't the price of gasoline be going down or is the world demand that much more? If it is the case of a higher global demand, wouldn't the rest of the world be 'making up' for our conversation by producing the CO2 we don't?

  • Bobmarley

    yes, world demand is that much more. China alone dictates a large portion of the worlds demand, you should see what is happening with metal prices which is mostly due to China. I heard from a one of the major metal supliers in georgia that China is building cities the size of houston texas every month!!! Metal prices have doubled in the last year and continue to rise. Just think how much more gas they are using because of this.

  • justmatt

    Is gas cheap in China?

  • Bobmarley

    I think its about $2.50/gal in China but that’s because the Chinese government subsidizes fuel cost. I think they do this in Mexico and Venezuela too and probably some other places. The Chinese government is supposedly thinking about dropping subsidies by 20 percent which should lower their demand a little. Its funny because if you look at gas prices in European countries the government has huge fuel taxes over 100+% so that’s why you see $6 and $7 gas prices over their. The US currently has a 15% fuel tax.

    Right now there is one keys to the solution of high gas prices (IMHO)…

    1. Let the market adjust itself; peoples needs will automatically adapt to the higher gas prices by demanding smaller more fuel efficient cars and adjusting driving habits. Automakers will/do see this and will/are adapting to market demand. Also, the government needs to allow drilling in our country for our oil, the demand is there and I think it will be a good step towards energy independence (and i dont like the idea of buying from our enemies)…..sorry about the essay! lol

  • justmatt

    No need to appoligize. I too would like to us drill our own, being from an oil state. I do not however agree with Bush's desire for more offshore drilling and too destroy more wildlife too just to “look” for more oil. There already is 68 million acres that have been approved that the oil companies just sit on.

  • Bobmarley

    Most of the “looking” is just that looking, with satellites, gravity meters (all kinds of xxxmeters) and seismic surveys, not much physical contact until drilling starts . Also, there have been advances in drilling techniques like horizontal drilling and the use of lasers to drill oil wells. If it were profitable to drill in those 68 million acres that have been approved than they would already be drilling there. “Drilling” for oil isn’t as easy as just drilling, there are tones of legal issues…surveys and boundaries that are set, environmental impact studies, lease agreement, titles, legal jurisdiction etc etc… and there needs to be enough accessible oil in that particular area to see a return on investment

  • justmatt

    $136 barrel oil, should make the reward for oil once thought unprofitable seem a little more inticing.

  • Bobmarley

    I think its about $2.50/gal in China but that’s because the Chinese government subsidizes fuel cost. I think they do this in Mexico and Venezuela too and probably some other places. The Chinese government is supposedly thinking about dropping subsidies by 20 percent which should lower their demand a little. Its funny because if you look at gas prices in European countries the government has huge fuel taxes over 100+% so that’s why you see $6 and $7 gas prices over their. The US currently has a 15% fuel tax.

    Right now there is one keys to the solution of high gas prices (IMHO)…

    1. Let the market adjust itself; peoples needs will automatically adapt to the higher gas prices by demanding smaller more fuel efficient cars and adjusting driving habits. Automakers will/do see this and will/are adapting to market demand. Also, the government needs to allow drilling in our country for our oil, the demand is there and I think it will be a good step towards energy independence (and i dont like the idea of buying from our enemies)…..sorry about the essay! lol

  • justmatt

    No need to appoligize. I too would like to us drill our own, being from an oil state. I do not however agree with Bush's desire for more offshore drilling and too destroy more wildlife too just to “look” for more oil. There already is 68 million acres that have been approved that the oil companies just sit on.

  • Bobmarley

    Most of the “looking” is just that looking, with satellites, gravity meters (all kinds of xxxmeters) and seismic surveys, not much physical contact until drilling starts . Also, there have been advances in drilling techniques like horizontal drilling and the use of lasers to drill oil wells. If it were profitable to drill in those 68 million acres that have been approved than they would already be drilling there. “Drilling” for oil isn’t as easy as just drilling, there are tones of legal issues…surveys and boundaries that are set, environmental impact studies, lease agreement, titles, legal jurisdiction etc etc… and there needs to be enough accessible oil in that particular area to see a return on investment

  • justmatt

    $136 barrel oil, should make the reward for oil once thought unprofitable seem a little more inticing.