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

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

White and red train speeding past on green elevated bridge in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Connecticut Assembly to Reconsider TOD Bill

The ‘Work, Live, Ride’ bill would prioritize funding for designated transit-oriented zones to encourage denser development near transit.

44 seconds ago - The Connecticut Mirror

Aerial view of large suburban homes on small lake in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

New Jersey Affordable Housing Law Turns 50

The Mount Laurel Doctrine tasks each city and town with creating enough affordable housing to meet their needs, but half a century after its passage, the law still faces opposition in some parts of the state.

1 hour ago - Asbury Park Press

Transparent glass outdoor dining pods with yellow flowers on a sidewalk in New York City during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Outdoor Dining Won’t Include Booze — For Now

Hundreds of restaurants will be unable to serve alcohol in their outdoor dining areas this summer due to a delay in permitting.

2 hours ago - StreetsBlog NYC