policy brief

Americans are Spending More Time at Home and Traveling Less Post-Pandemic

Publication Date

March 1, 2025

Author(s)

Samuel Speroni, Brian D. Taylor

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated an ongoing trend of Americans spending more time at home and less time engaged in activities away from home. This shift in travel behavior has significant implications for cities, transportation systems, economics, and even mental health. To better understand this trend, this research project examined how people in the U.S. spend their time pre-pandemic, mid-pandemic, and post-pandemic using data from the American Time Use Survey, with a focus on work, leisure, and travel behavior.