U.S. vehicle travel was down 8.6% in September, the smallest decline of the pandemic

WASHINGTON — U.S. motorists drove 8.6% fewer miles in September, marking the smallest monthly decline since the coronavirus pandemic forced millions of Americans to begin working from home in March. The Federal Highway Administration said on Friday road travel fell by 23.4 billion vehicle miles in September, but it was up 2.8% over August and the first time that travel fell by less than 10% since February.