Americans hit the road more often in May, racking up 200 million more miles than during the same period in 2008. May was the second straight month that Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) increased after a year-plus period of driving decline, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported.
Prior to April, VMT had decreased for 16 months straight. The increase in May mileage was despite gas prices rising an average 36 cents a gallon from April prices.
The only area in the U.S. to see a decline in driving was the South Atlantic region, where driving declined 1.4 percent in May compared to the same period last year. The area with the largest driving increase was the North Central region, where travel was up 0.8 percent.
Despite the travel upswing in April and May, year-to-date miles driven for 2009 are down 9.9 billion, or 0.8 percent, compared to the same period last year.
Click HERE for more travel statistics for May 2009.