Alternative Transportation Push Fails to Get Commuters Out of Their Cars

New data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey shows that the percentage of commuters driving to work alone neared an all-time peak last year. State and national trends are working against progress being made by cities.

1 minute read

November 5, 2013, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"American commuters prefer to go it alone—mostly by driving to the office, but increasingly by working from home," reports Neil Shah. "Last year, about 76% of workers 16 years and older drove to work alone—just shy of the all-time peak of 77% in 2005, according to data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey."

After recent growth in group commuting, solo driving "has been ticking back up as the economy revives," he adds. "Meanwhile, just about every other way of getting to work has either languished or declined."

"These commuting trends come despite efforts to get people to use public transportation or other alternatives," notes Shah. "And a variety of forces are coming together to ensure that Americans continue to seek out lonely commutes—and the numbers could grow."

The work of alternative transportation advocates hasn't been for naught, however. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. have witnessed the opposite trend, with solo drivers giving way to transit riders, walkers, and bicyclists. 

Monday, November 4, 2013 in The Wall Street Journal

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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today