Road traffic data for Great Britain

Road traffic statistics are released annually by the Department for Transport (DfT), and are useful in understanding how people travel across Great Britain.

From miles travelled, to types of transport, to patterns over time – this guide will give you all the information you need.

Analysing this data highlights the trends within the motoring industry.

Read our know how guide to learn more.

Road traffic statistics

In 2024, overall road traffic volumes across Great Britain were higher than 2023, reflecting a continued post-Covid recovery in travel demand.

Total motor vehicle traffic rose by 1.6% from 2023, reaching an estimated 336.2 billion vehicle miles.

This uptick suggests a gradual return to pre-pandemic mobility patterns, driven by factors such as economic activity, commuting trends, and leisure travel.

However, despite this year-on-year growth, traffic levels have not yet fully rebounded to those observed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

When compared to 2019, the last full year before widespread lockdowns and travel restrictions, traffic in 2024 remained 0.7% lower.

This lingering gap may indicate lasting shifts in travel behaviour, such as increased remote working and changes in public transport usage reduce reliance on road travel.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “With the number of miles driven on UK roads nearing pre-pandemic levels, it’s clear that most UK drivers have no feasible alternative to the car when it comes to getting around.

“RAC data shows that 81% of drivers would struggle to adjust to life without their vehicle because for many, it’s the most time and cost-effective option.

“This is especially true for those in rural areas where public transport provision is limited or non-existent.  

"The more cars there are on the roads, the greater the impact on air quality, road conditions and traffic.

“While the current Government is very focused on improving public transport across the board, we expect the car will remain essential to many people’s lives for years to come.” 

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Traffic in Great Britain by vehicle type

The latest data from the DfT showed that car traffic levels across Great Britain reached 256.1 billion vehicle miles, reflecting a 1.9% increase compared to the previous 12 months.

Despite this growth, this type of traffic remains 2.6% below pre-pandemic levels.

The statistics also show that van traffic usage rose by 1.3% year-on-year, totalling 58.5 billion vehicle miles in 2024.

Notably, van traffic has surpassed pre-pandemic volumes, standing 9.5% higher than in 2019.

Lorry and heavy goods vehicle traffic declined by 2.0% from 2023, falling to 16.6 billion vehicle miles.

Compared to 2019, lorry traffic in 2024 is down by 3.5%, possibly reflecting changes in freight logistics or economic pressures affecting haulage demand.

When looking at public transport data, bus and coach travel increased slightly by 1.7% from the previous year, reaching two billion vehicle miles.

However, this mode of transport remains a significantly less popular choice than before the pandemic, with 2024 figures 17.2% lower than in 2019.

Motorcycle usage rose by 3.5% in 2024, reaching three billion vehicle miles.

This marks a 10.6% increase over 2019 levels.

Despite an increase in cycle lanes and changes to the Highway Code, cycling activity on public roads and adjacent paths was estimated at 3.5 billion vehicle miles in 2024, representing a 2.4% decline from 2023.

Furthermore, when compared to 2019, cycle traffic is down by 2.8%.

Traffic in Great Britain by road type

The Department for Transport’s data from 2024 showed that motorway usage in Great Britain remained relatively stable last year, up by just 0.5% compared to 2023.

Statistics show that the total traffic on motorways reached 70.2 billion vehicle miles.

This figure is broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels, showing only a marginal decline of 0.4% compared to 2019.

Traffic on ‘A’ roads rose by 2.2% year-on-year, totalling 148.7 billion vehicle miles in 2024.

Despite this growth, volumes remain just slightly under 2019, with 1% less ‘A’ road traffic in 2024.

Traffic on minor roads increased by 1.6% on 2023, with an estimated 117.2 billion vehicle miles driven in 2024.

This represents a slight decrease of 0.6%, suggesting a near-complete recovery in local and residential road usage.