Based on the latest data from the U.S. Department of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 91% of American households have access to at least one vehicle. This translates to approximately 278 million registered vehicles for a driving-age population of around 260 million people. Car ownership is deeply embedded in the American lifestyle, supported by the country's infrastructure and geography. However, the distribution is not uniform, with significant variations based on location, income, and age.
A deeper look at the numbers reveals that multivehicle ownership is the norm. Nearly 38% of households own two vehicles, and over 22% own three or more. This reflects the practical needs of families with multiple working adults and complex schedules. The table below summarizes key data points from the FHWA:
| Metric | Data Point | Year |
|---|
| Total Number of Registered Vehicles | 278,063,737 | 2022 |
| Percentage of Households with Access to 1+ Vehicles | 91.5% | 2021 |
| Percentage of Households with Access to 2+ Vehicles | 60.4% | 2021 |
| Percentage of Households with No Vehicle Access | 8.5% | 2021 |
| Average Number of Vehicles per Household | 1.9 | 2021 |
Geography plays a huge role. In dense, urban centers like New York City, the percentage of households without a car can be over 50%, thanks to robust public transit. Conversely, in suburban and rural areas, car ownership is virtually a necessity for employment, grocery shopping, and accessing services. The data also shows a correlation between income and vehicle ownership; higher-income families are more likely to own multiple, often newer, vehicles. While the rise of remote work and ride-sharing services may influence future trends, for now, the car remains the dominant mode of transportation for the vast majority of Americans.
