Summary statistics
Road traffic trends since 2020 have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK. 297.6 billion vehicle miles (bvm) were driven on Great Britain’s roads in 2021, an 11.9% increase on the previous year. Traffic in 2021 was 12.1% lower compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Road traffic by vehicle type
| Time period: | 1993 to 2021 |
| Source: | Road traffic estimates in Great Britain: 2021 |
221.4 bvm
Cars and taxis
54.4 bvm
Light commerical vehicles
17.5 bvm
Heavy goods vehicles
4.2 bvm
Pedal cycles
1.8 bvm
Buses and coaches
2.5 bvm
Motorcycles
The main facts and figures show that:
- Car traffic increased by 12.2% from 2020 levels to 221.4 bvm. 2021 car traffic estimates remain lower than those for before the pandemic (-15.8% when compared to 2019)
- Van traffic increased by 11.9% from 2020 to 54.4 bvm. Van traffic estimates for 2021 are higher than levels before the pandemic (+1.7% when compared to 2019)
- Lorry traffic increased by 7.9% from 2020 to 17.5 bvm. 2021 lorry traffic estimates are higher than levels before the pandemic (+1.6% when compared to 2019)
- Pedal cycle traffic (cyclists on public highways, and the paths next to them) was 4.2 bvm, 20.8% below 2020 levels. 2021 Cycle traffic estimates are higher than levels before the pandemic (+15.7% when compared to 2019)
Whilst historically significant, the long term trends can be misleading in most cases due to the extraordinary circumstances observed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Vehicle miles travelled in Great Britain have had year-on-year growth in each year between 2011 and 2019. Following a sharp decline in 2020, traffic levels for 2021 have increased on the previous year but still remain lower than the 2011 levels. Therefore, to say traffic has fallen over the last decade would misconstrue, as the overall decrease is entirely due to the decline in traffic levels observed in the 2020-2021 estimates.
Traffic estimates for the period since 2000 have been revised following the minor road review. Further details available on GOV.UK: Road traffic statistics: minor roads traffic estimate review
Traffic by road type
| Time period: | 1993 to 2021 |
| Source: | Road traffic estimates in Great Britain: 2021 |
The main facts and figures show that:
- Motorways traffic increased by 14.4% compared to 2020, carrying 60.3 bvm of traffic. Motorway traffic estimates for 2021 remain lower than those for before the pandemic (-14.5% when compared to 2019)
- 'A' roads saw a 12.4% increase in traffic from 2020. ‘A’ roads traffic estimates for 2021 are lower than those for before the pandemic (-13.6% when compared to 2019)
- Minor road traffic increased by 10.0% since 2020. 2021 minor roads traffic estimates remain lower than those for before the pandemic (-8.8% when compared to 2019)
Whilst historically significant, the long term trends can be misleading in most cases due to the extraordinary circumstances observed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Vehicle miles travelled in Great Britain have had year-on-year growth in each year between 2011 and 2019. Following a sharp decline in 2020, traffic levels for 2021 have increased on the previous year but still remain lower than the 2011 levels. Therefore, to say traffic has fallen over the last decade would misconstrue, as the overall decrease is entirely due to the decline in traffic levels observed in the 2020-2021 estimates.
Traffic estimates for the period since 2000 have been revised following the minor road review. Further details available on GOV.UK: Road traffic statistics: minor roads traffic estimate review
Annual traffic across Great Britain
Data downloads
Download street-level traffic figures for all regions, local authorities and count point locations.
- Annual average daily flow
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