Why Minnesota roads are busier than ever

Minnesota roads were busier over the past year than before the pandemic, a puzzling trend considering the rise of remote work .

Why it matters: Traffic jams are frustrating, especially when it seems like they shouldn't be happening.

By the numbers: Between June 2023 and May 2024, vehicles traveled 59.4 billion miles in the state, which is up from 58.6 billion during the same period of 2018-2019, according to Federal Highway Administration traffic volume counts analyzed by Axios.

Context: That 1.4% increase is almost on par with Minnesota's population increase of 1.7% over the past four years.

Zoom out: Nearly 17% of Minnesota workers told the U.S. Census Bureau that they worked from home most or all of the time in 2022.

Reality check : Remote work has taken a toll on downtowns , but the raw number of primarily remote workers was 527,000 in 2022 — less than 10% of the state's overall population of about 5.7 million.

• Many of them were already working from home before the pandemic: 6.7% in 2019, according to the Minneapolis Federal Reserve .
• Remote work is also becoming "hybrid" for many, as some of the metro's largest employers have been calling employees back to the office .

The intrigue : Axios asked economists from the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Federal Reserve if they had an explanation, and both organizations said they had not studied the topic.

What they're saying: The state Department of Transportation doesn't regularly ask motorists why they drive, said spokesperson Anne Meyer.

• But she told Axios that driving decreases when it's snowy and cold, so last winter's record warmth and lack of snow probably played a role.

Between the lines: There could be other factors. Metro Transit ridership was still 41% below pre-pandemic levels last year, meaning people are opting for cars over transit.

Weigh in: Are you driving more or less than you did before the pandemic?

• Email twincities@axios.com to tell us about your driving habits.