Key facts
- Major Los Angeles freeways showed no significant decline in vehicle miles traveled since February 28.
- Average regular unleaded gasoline prices in Los Angeles were $6.07 per gallon on June 2.
- Traffic data from Interstates 405, 10, and 5 showed slight increases or decreases.
- Gasoline demand in the U.S. is largely inelastic, meaning drivers change habits little even with price spikes.
- Weekday bus and train ridership in Los Angeles County increased 1.6% year-on-year in March and April.
Despite elevated gasoline prices in Los Angeles, exceeding $6 per gallon and significantly higher than the national average, traffic on major freeways has not seen a substantial decrease. Data analyzed by Caltrans for Reuters, covering approximately eight weeks after February 28, showed that vehicle miles traveled on key routes like I-405, I-10, and I-5 remained largely stable, with some sections even experiencing slight increases in traffic. This phenomenon aligns with research indicating that U.S. gasoline demand is inelastic, meaning drivers are reluctant or unable to alter their habits significantly in response to price spikes, viewing high costs as a part of living in car-dependent California. Weekday bus and train ridership in Los Angeles County increased 1.6% year-on-year in March and April, with passenger miles on public transit up 0.8%.