The Department of Transportation reports that travel on U.S. roadways through the first eight months of this year is down 1.3% from a year ago -- or 26 billion vehicle miles -- and has reached the lowest level since 2003.
Travel in August, the latest month available, continued the downward trend, falling 4.6 billion vehicle miles, or 1.7%, to the lowest level since recession-wracked August 2009.
The Northeast saw the biggest drop in August, falling 2.2% compared with a year ago; the West, in comparison, fell just 1.2%, the DOT reports. Among types of vehicle travel, urban interstate travel fell just 0.5%, while rural interstate travel fell 2.7%.
Higher gas prices likely played a part in the decline. On Aug. 1, a gallon of regular ran $3.68 nationally, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. That's up $1 from early August 2010.
Economic malaise may have also resulted in fewer summer road trips. August's consumer confidence index plummeted below levels seen all year — and it hasn't improved since then.
-- Kelsey Mays/Cars.com's Kicking Tires
Chris Woodyard is an auto writer for USA TODAY who covers all aspects of motoring. He revels in the exhaust note of a Maserati and the sharp creases of a Cadillac CTS. Chris strives to live a Porsche life on a Scion budget. More about Chris