Our Nation's Highways: 2008

Figure 1-5. Public Road Measured in Centerline Length and Lane Length (Miles)

By the late 1980s, the U.S. highway network was near completion. Now, virtually all population centers are linked by paved roadways. Although there has been little construction of new roads and highways since 1980, the number of lane miles has been increasing as highways are widened with additional lanes to carry more vehicles. That is to say, for the most part, that we are adding capacity to existing highways rather than building new ones. Note: After 1998, forest development roads ceased being treated as public roads. This is why Figure 1-5 indicates significant drops in both centerline and lane mileage in 1999.

Data represented in the inset chart
Table in Excel format

Data Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Highway Policy Information, Highway Statistics.