Here’s some good news for broadcast radio: There’s a growing body of evidence that Americans are driving more miles than in recent weeks as coronavirus-related restrictions begin to ease across the U.S.
Data released last week by Geopath and Intermx reveals the average number of daily miles traveled per American increased to 11.5 for the week beginning April 20. That’s an increase of 18% from two weeks earlier, when it dropped to 9.8, its lowest point since COVID-19 restrictions took effect.
The mileage increases weren’t limited to a single region. In fact, they rose across all 50 states vs. the week beginning April 13. Some of the states with the most significant increases: Colorado (56%), Alaska (45%), Minnesota (44%), Michigan (43%), New York (40%), Vermont (33%), and Montana and Wyoming (both 32%).
The increases are significant because, even during the pandemic, the majority of AM/FM radio time spent listening continues to occur out of home, according to Nielsen.
