Turns out most people in Denver are driving less than U.S. average

Complaining about traffic on I-70 is a rite of passage for Coloradans. But a new analysis suggests people here drive slightly less than the national average.

The big picture: Metro Denver had 28 daily per-capita vehicle miles traveled last year, less than the 30.1 average in the 50 largest U.S. metros, according to data compiled by Replica .

• The figure puts Denver among the mid-tier in the rankings, below Phoenix (28.1) and above Cleveland (27.4).

What they did: The mobility analytics firm publishes traffic and other similar data based on anonymized mobile device info, roadside sensors, transit agencies and more.

• For this analysis, Replica looked specifically at private car trips made by adults in fall 2023.

Between the lines: Factors from walkability to public transit access play a role in how much people drive.

• Public transit in Denver has lagged from pre-pandemic levels in recent years.

Zoom in: Raleigh, North Carolina, has the highest vehicle miles traveled among the 50 most-populated U.S. metros, with 38.1, followed by Birmingham, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida.

• New York, with its plentiful and popular transit options, sits in 50th place with 14.4.

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