Is now a bad time to drive?
It's fine, not great. In October, Americans drive +3.1% miles per day vs. the yearly average (FHWA, 4 recent years).
The year, best to worst
5 = best. ▶ marks this month.
Best windows
- January: -11.1% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
- February: -6.1% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
- December: -5.5% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
- March: -0.8% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
- November: -2.6% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
Worst windows
- May: +4.7% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
- June: +5.6% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
- August: +4.9% miles/day vs. the yearly average.
How we know
Federal road-volume data. The verdict uses this month's rank.
- U.S. FHWA Traffic Volume Trends, vehicle miles traveled, via FRED (series TRFVOLUSM227NFWA): Monthly U.S. vehicle miles traveled, millions of miles, not seasonally adjusted.
Inputs: FHWA monthly vehicle miles traveled, not seasonally adjusted (via FRED), full years 2022–2025 (2020–21 excluded as pandemic years). Latest month: 2026-08, 294,124 million miles.
Formula: daily miles = monthly miles ÷ days in month; index = daily miles ÷ that year's average daily miles − 1, averaged across years. Fewer miles = emptier roads = better score.
| Month | Miles/day vs. avg | Years |
|---|---|---|
| January | -11.1% | 4 |
| February | -6.1% | 4 |
| March | -0.8% | 4 |
| April | +0.5% | 4 |
| May | +4.7% | 4 |
| June | +5.6% | 4 |
| July | +4.6% | 4 |
| August | +4.9% | 4 |
| September | +2.8% | 4 |
| October | +3.1% | 4 |
| November | -2.6% | 4 |
| December | -5.5% | 4 |
Caveat: this is national road volume, not congestion at a specific place or hour. Your commute may vary, and it will.
Last updated: page rebuilt October 26, 2026. Data status: fred: ok, last good October 26, 2026.
FAQ
When is the best time to drive?
By our ranking: January, February, December, March, November. See "How we know" on this page for the sources and math.
When is the worst time to drive?
By our ranking: May, June, August.
Does this tell me about my commute?
No. It's national road volume. Your commute has its own personal vendetta.