June 2009 Miles Driven Shows Increase

From MEMA Market Research

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation preliminary estimates for June 2009 total vehicle travel indicate an increase of 1.95 percent compared to June 2008 volume. Even though this is the largest single-month travel increase since October 2006, the 4.9 billion mile increase was not enough to erase the year-to-date mileage deficit which now stands at 0.42 percent, according to MEMA market research.

The rolling 12-month total is down 2.21 percent versus this time last year, and 3.46 percent compared to two years ago. Data revisions to May estimates indicate that mileage fell versus May 2008. However, mileage over the three most recently reported months has increased by 0.69 percent.

“This trend combined with June posting such a strong start to the peak summer travel months may allow for 2009 travel to reverse the falling mileage trend sooner than expected,” said Frank Hampshire, MEMA senior director of market research.

MEMA reports the rolling 12-month total of miles traveled in its monthly e-newsletter, “Market Analysis.” View the August issue of “Market Analysis” by clicking here. Subscription information is available by clicking here.

AASA and HDMA members also can access the latest mileage information at the associations’ respective members-only Web sites – accessible to AASA members by clicking here or HDMA members by clicking here. User name and password are required to log onto the sites.

Despite a tough commercial tire market in 2023 due to overstock and the effects of a rubber-banding supply chain, some tire manufacturers are expressing a cautious optimism for stabilization and gradual recovery through the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

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