Americans driving fewest miles since 2003

USA Today reports that Americans are driving less today than they were one year ago. According to a new study by the Department of Transportation, travel on U.S. roads has declined by around 1.3 percent through the first eight months of the year compared to the same period in 2010. That equates to around 26 billion vehicle miles, or the lowest figure since 2003.

The report also indicates that travel varied by area somewhat. The Northeast, for example, curtailed its travel by 2.2 percent in August compared to the same month in 2010, while drivers in the West cut back by just 1.2 percent.

There's no clear indication as to the reason behind the decline, though as USA Today points out, higher fuel prices likely played a part. A gallon of regular gasoline cost driver $3.68 in August; up a full dollar from the same period last year.