Study findings:
- U.S. motor gasoline consumption has largely recovered from the 2020 shock but has plateaued below the 2019 peak: national averages were about 8.9–9.0 million barrels per day in 2024, with 2025 tracking roughly flat and the usual summer peak still evident (EIA FAQ; EIA monthly series).
- Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) have reached record highs even as gasoline use remains below 2019, reflecting efficiency gains (recent new‑vehicle real‑world fuel economy around 26 mpg) and growing EV adoption; per‑capita gasoline use continues a gradual drift downward (FHWA Traffic Volume Trends; EPA Automotive Trends; EIA Short‑Term Energy Outlook).
- Pump prices stayed mostly in the low‑to‑upper $3/gal range during 2024, and short‑run price elasticities remain small (a ~10% price increase typically trims consumption by only ~1–3%); driving volumes have been resilient while efficiency and hybrid work moderate fuel use (EIA weekly gasoline prices; EIA Today in Energy). Pre‑pandemic heuristics often assumed weekly fuel‑ups (filled up their car about once a week), but current patterns vary widely by commute intensity and vehicle efficiency.
- Hybrid/remote work has stabilized at roughly 28–30% of paid workdays at home, softening traditional Monday/Friday commute peaks and shifting trips toward mid‑day and Tue–Thu; this reshapes fueling cadence—many hybrid workers now refill every 2–4 weeks depending on miles driven, tank size, and mpg (WFH Research; INRIX; EPA Automotive Trends).
Like a run to the grocery store, mowing the lawn, or vacuuming the house, fueling the car felt routine before the pandemic—and many articles cited older heuristics about weekly fill‑ups and annual gasoline use (e.g., around 650 gallons per driver). Today, official energy and travel indicators show a different mix: total U.S. motor gasoline consumption is stabilizing just under its pre‑pandemic high—about 8.9–9.0 million barrels per day in 2024 with clear summer peaks—while roadway travel sets records (EIA; EIA monthly; FHWA).
With the average gas tank commonly 12–15 gallons and recent new‑vehicle real‑world fuel economy around 26 mpg, a single tank covers roughly 310–390 miles. Refueling frequency therefore hinges on actual miles driven: someone logging ~100–150 miles per week might refill every 2–4 weeks, whereas 200–300 miles per week implies about weekly to biweekly stops. Road‑trip bursts can add one or more tanks on a single weekend, while efficient hybrids/EVs or fewer commute days stretch intervals further (EPA Automotive Trends).
When regular 5‑day office commutes are reduced by hybrid/remote work, the shape of traffic changes even as total driving rebounds: Tuesday–Thursday are the busiest office days, Mondays and Fridays are lighter, and more trips occur mid‑day. Analytics confirm softer morning peaks and relatively stronger mid‑day/PM travel across many metros (WFH Research; INRIX Scorecard; TomTom Traffic Index).
National indicators provide a clear picture: vehicle miles traveled have reached record levels, while gasoline product supplied remains below 2019 as higher vehicle efficiency and electrification temper gallons per mile. Regional patterns diverge—California’s gasoline sales, for example, trend lower amid rapid EV uptake and policy measures—while Sun Belt states with population inflows show comparatively strong demand (FHWA; EIA; California Energy Commission). Globally, gasoline demand is broadly steady near 26 million barrels per day, with declines in OECD regions offset by growth elsewhere as efficiency and electrification rise (Energy Institute Statistical Review).
Looking ahead, the evidence points to reshaped habits rather than a wholesale reduction in driving. Gasoline demand remains below 2019 despite record travel because of improved fleet efficiency and persistent hybrid/remote work; pump prices in 2024 mostly sat in the low‑to‑upper $3 range, and short‑run price responses are modest, so trip‑making has stayed resilient (EIA STEO; EIA weekly prices; EIA Today in Energy). Environmentally, short‑term traffic reductions are known to improve near‑road NO2 substantially, but most of the air‑quality and noise gains from early lockdowns dissipated as mobility returned; transportation remained the largest U.S. greenhouse‑gas emitting sector in 2023 (about 28% of the total), underscoring the role of sustained efficiency, EV adoption, and targeted traffic reduction in high‑exposure corridors (EEA air‑quality report; Global Carbon Budget 2024; EPA GHG Inventory).
Many large companies have stated they will allow employees to work from home for the remainder of 2020, and today hybrid arrangements have stabilized at roughly 28–30% of paid workdays at home nationwide—reducing weekly commute trips and reshaping when people drive; office entry remains well below pre‑pandemic baselines with midweek peaks, consistent with durable hybrid policies (WFH Research; Kastle Office Occupancy).
Alternatively though, one type of driving that might see an increase in the short term is domestic travel. As airports and flying continue to be ravaged by COVID-wary travelers, many people still plan on more local trips to destinations that can be reached easily by car. In practice, both modes are now simultaneously strong: TSA reported multiple record days above 3 million passengers screened in summer 2025 (confirming air travel fully rebounded), FHWA shows record‑high roadway travel, and AAA’s 2025 holiday forecasts projected record travelers with the large majority going by car—evidence that driving and flying are setting records at the same time rather than one substituting for the other (TSA passenger volumes; FHWA VMT; AAA holiday travel outlooks; NTTO outbound travel).
