Commute, errands, kid pickup. How many minutes a day do American drivers spend behind the wheel?

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Just over an hour a day, 60.4 minutes, covering 31 miles in 2 to 3 trips. Errands, not the commute, are the most common reason Americans get in the car: 29% of all trips, compared to 23% for getting to work. Fridays are the heaviest driving day at 68 minutes and Mondays the lightest at 55.

American drivers spend 60 minutes a day behind the wheel. Errands, not the commute, are the most common reason for a trip.

Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (American Driving Survey: 2024) · checked Dec 2025