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Tables 5-8 and 5-8M. Single-Unit Truck Fuel Consumption and Travel: 1980-2005

Over the past two decades, miles per gallon by single-unit trucks (based on total travel and fuel consumption) increased by more than 50 percent. Between 1980 and 2005, the fuel consumed increased 31 percent whereas miles traveled nearly doubled, indicating that miles per gallon increased from 5.8 to 8.8.

Table in Excel format | Historical data

empty Cell 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005
Number registered (thousands) 4,374 4,487 5,926 6,161 6,395
Vehicle-miles (millions) 39,813 51,901 70,500 (R) 78,441 79,174
Fuel consumed (million gallons) 6,923 8,357 9,563 (R) 8,959 9,042
Average miles traveled per vehicle 9,103 11,567 11,897 (R) 12,732 12,380
Average miles traveled per gallon 5.8 6.2 7.4 8.8 8.8
Average fuel consumed per vehicle (gallons) 1,583 1,862 1,614 (R) 1,454 1,414

Key: R = revised

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2005 (Washington, DC: 2005), table VM-1 and similar tables in earlier editions.


Table 5-8M (metric units)
Table in Excel format | Historical data

empty Cell 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005
Number registered (thousands)4,3744,4875,9266,1616395
Vehicle-Kilometers (millions)64,07383,527113,459(R) 126,239127,418
Fuel consumed (million liters)26,20631,63536,200(R) 33,91234,229
Average kilometers traveled per vehicle14,64918,61519,146(R) 20,49019,924
Average kilometers traveled per liter2.42.63.13.73.7
Average fuel consumed per vehicle (liter)5,9927,0506,109(R) 5,5045,352

Key: R = revised

Notes: 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers; 1 gallon = 3.8 liters.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2005 (Washington, DC: 2005), table VM-1 and similar tables in earlier editions.


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