Despite Gas Prices, Fewer Americans are Carpooling

More people are bicycling and taking public transit to work, but not nearly enough to offset the amount of people who now drive solo to work.

New data on commuting released by the U.S. government shows that more Americans than ever are driving solo to work, with more than two million fewer people carpooling compared to 10 years ago. Between 2000 and 2010, nearly eight million more solo drivers were added to American roads, despite gas prices essentially doubling over that period, renewed focus on public transportation, and efforts to promote carpooling. The American Community Survey finds that 250,000 more people began biking to work during the millennium's first decade, and about another 900,000 or so decided to take public transit compared to the previous decade. But those numbers only partially offset the huge increase in the number of solo drivers, which is the least energy-efficient means of commuting, unless you're flying or driving a tank to work.