The average number of vehicle trips made by a household in a year's time was 1,865 in 2017, which translates to an average of 5 household trips per day (one-way). That is 10% lower than the previous survey year, 2009, and 20% lower than the 1995 survey.

In 2026, transportation data indicates that the average American household conducts approximately 9.5 to 11 car trips per day, though this figure varies significantly based on urbanization and family size. A "trip" is defined as any one-way travel from one destination to another, such as driving from home to work or from the grocery store back home. Research shows that roughly 45% of these trips are for "personal errands" like shopping or appointments, while commuting to work accounts for about 15%. Social and recreational activities make up another 25% of the daily vehicle movements. Interestingly, while the number of individual trips has remained relatively stable over the last decade, the average distance per trip has slightly decreased in urban areas due to the rise of localized "15-minute city" planning and the increased prevalence of delivery services, which reduce the need for multiple household members to drive for small necessities.