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Just how far and when do Americans drive?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Zythryn, Jun 12, 2016.

  1. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    This discussion started in another thread, and really was off topic there so I am starting it here.
    It really is a fascinating question and very relavant for PHEVs and their selected ranges.

    What is the diving behavior of Americans?
    The basics, which are fairly well accepted, are that Americans drive about 13,000 miles/year.
    Split evenly it breaks down to 37 miles/day.

    I'll be updating this with some links to other data sources, but one I wanted to link right away as it goes into some interestivg details is: New Study Reveals When, Where and How Much Motorists Drive | AAA NewsRoom

    Here is some data on driving by age category: The Average American Drives This Much Each Year -- How Do You Compare? -- The Motley Fool

    More to come...
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is this all statistical sampling?
     
  3. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    From what I can tell, yes.
    Not sure how else you would do it.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    right. i'm not a big fan of statistics. i realize they can be scientifically meaningful, but they don't always play out in real life.
    even if they are correct, every potential ev customer goes into the showroom with a different thought process.
     
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  5. Friend of Bill W.

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    I drive about 60 miles round trip to work. Then if I drive clients to appointments I could add another 20 miles to the day, then I drive to the store, or go for drives just because I love to drive.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  6. wrprice

    wrprice Active Member

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    35 miles/day in commute to daycare and the office.
    280 miles each way to visit my family.
    220 miles each way to visit my wife's family.

    1131 miles to drive my no-longer-new Prius home from the dealer where I bought it.

    In my '05 I drove every mile of Interstate 10 east of Houston at least twice, traveling to two space shuttle launches. Many more round trips to New Orleans at 6 hours each way.

    Took a road trip once through Albuquerque and across I-40 to Los Angeles and back on I-10. I've lost track of those miles.
     
  7. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    I think their may be some misunderstanding.
    Statistical averages are not intended, in any way, to predict how far any given individual will drive.

    Saying you drive further, or less, in no way detracts from the value of those statistics. Saying you drive further simply means you are not one of the 50% that drives the average or less.

    The averages are valuable for manufacturers that want to capture a certain percentage of the market.
    They don't car if they have the perfect range for an individual. They want to get a range that meets the needs of the average commute/daily drive/etc.
     
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