Have commuting characteristics changed over the past few years in Hampton Roads? Yes. It is true that driving alone to work is still the dominant method of travel in Hampton Roads (73% in 2021), but there are fewer commuters driving alone than seen in previous years.  Prior to the pandemic in 2019, this percentage was at 81%.  The decrease in commuters who drove alone to work in 2021 is largely due to more people working from home (increased from 4.5% in 2019 to 13.8% in 2021).

Other modes of transportation also had a decrease in commuters due to the pandemic.  This includes public transportation (decreased from 1.6% in 2019 to 1.0% in 2021) and bicycling/walking (decreased from 3.3% in 2019 to 3.0% in 2021).  Impacts of the pandemic were not evident in carpooling to work as its percentage of commuters remained at 7.8% in 2019 and 2021. 

Although the pandemic disrupted the number of commuters typically observed throughout the region’s transportation system, Hampton Roads still had more commuters who drove alone as compared to other metropolitan areas.  Among the 41 large metropolitan areas with populations between one and four million people, Hampton Roads ranked 10^th highest regarding commuters who drove alone in 2021.

The information above is detailed in HRTPO’s State of Transportation in Hampton Roads 2022 report.  This report provides a status update on all facets of the Hampton Roads transportation system including air, rail, water, and highways. Other aspects of the region’s transportation system are also highlighted in the report, including bridge conditions, roadway usage, cost of congestion, roadway safety, truck data, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, highway funding, tolling, operations, and other commuting characteristics.

The State of Transportation in Hampton Roads 2022 report is available on the HRTPO website at the following link:

State of Transportation in Hampton Roads 2022 Report