Most and Least Car-Dependent Cities.

Getting a driver's license used to be a right of passage for 16-year-olds but, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), fewer than 26% of 16-year-olds were licensed drivers in 2019, down from 44% in 1980. This phenomenon is part of a general shift in the U.S. car culture, as auto sales have been declining for the last few years, and there has been an increase in other forms of transportation, such as ride-sharing, bike-share, and scooters.

Still, America remains a global leader when it comes to driving. Compared to Western European countries, the U.S. is more car-dependent for a variety of reasons, including its size, suburban sprawl, less expensive gas, and underdeveloped public transportation. In many U.S. cities, driving a car is practically a necessity to get to work, school, or the grocery store.

Nebraska and North Dakota are the top two states for average annual miles per driver, with individuals in these states driving an average of 15,390 and 14,393 miles, respectively. The national average is 11,621 miles. Alaskan residents drive the fewest, at just over 8,000 miles annually.

To determine the most car-dependent metros in the U.S., researchers at 360 Quote analyzed data from the FHWA's National Household Transportation Survey and...