Northwest Drivers Use A Gallon Less Than the National Average

Motorists in Oregon, Washington and Idaho are using less gas per week than the average American. A recent report credits the region's public transit systems and land use policies for the reduction in fuel consumption.

1 minute read

April 22, 2008, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"At a time of record gas prices and rising sales of hybrid cars, it stands to reason that Americans would buy less gas. But the fact that Oregon and Washington residents are buying less gas than the national average stems from the region's investment in mass transit and development patterns that put homes closer to stores and employers, said Clark Williams-Derry, research director for Sightline."

"Motorists in Oregon, Washington and Idaho bought on average 7.8 gallons of gas a week in 2007, about 11 percent less than the 8.7 gallons a week they consumed in 1999. That drop is far steeper than the national average, which declined by 3 percent to 8.6 gallons a week in 2007."

"Both Oregon and Washington had less per capita weekly consumption and steeper declines than Idaho. Oregon residents bought 7.7 gallons a week in 2007, down 10 percent from 8.6 gallons a week in 1999. Washington weekly consumption was the same in 2007, dropping from 8.7 gallons a week in 1999."

Thanks to Dylan Rivera

Thursday, April 17, 2008 in The Oregonian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight