Economic

Economics

Consumer Savings vs. Costs

By reducing travel times, the Interstate system saves each West Virginia resident 59 hours of travel time annually - 107 million hours statewide.
Faster and more efficient routes provided by the Interstate system save West Virginia residents $1.7 billion annually in the value of saved time and fuel - $947 per person ($876 in time and $71 in fuel).
West Virginia’s Interstate system annually reduces statewide motor fuel consumption by 51 million gallons.
Improved traffic safety provided by the Interstate system saves the state $304 million annually and saves the average state resident $167 annually in reduced healthcare costs and costs associated with lost productivity due to traffic crashes.
The state’s Interstate Highway System saves the average West Virginia resident $2,032 per year in safety benefits, saved time, reduced motor fuel consumption and reduced apparel, food, housing and transportation costs.

Driving on roads in need of repair costs West Virginia motorists $292 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs – $229 per motorist.
Motor vehicle crashes cost West Virginia’s citizens $1.2 billion per year, $701 for each resident, in medical costs, lost productivity, travel delay, workplace costs, insurance costs and legal costs.

Taxes Paid

An average driver in West Virginia uses 853 gallons of fuel (15,786 miles at 18.5 miles-per-gallon). This generates $269 in state fuel taxes annually (853 gallons multiplied by 31.5 cents per gallon).
Compared to surrounding states, West Virginia generates the lowest fuel tax revenues per state administered mile of highway.
In relation to total cost of purchasing fuel, since 1994 West Virginia’s fuel tax has decreased from 22 to 9 percent.