How North America's Car Dependency is Driving Unhappiness

North America, with its expansive highways and sprawling suburbs, is one of the most car-reliant regions globally. However, this deep-rooted dependence on vehicles is increasingly linked to unhappiness among Americans and Canadians, as revealed by new research.

Cars dominate life in the United States, with over 90% of households owning at least one vehicle and 87% of the population relying on them daily. In 2023, a record 290 million vehicles operated across the nation’s streets and highways. Similarly, in Canada, car ownership is ubiquitous, with sprawling suburban developments and insufficient public transit networks making vehicle use nearly unavoidable. While car ownership generally boosts life satisfaction, the study indicates that excessive driving—defined as using a car for more than 50% of out-of-home activities—negatively impacts overall happiness.

“Car dependency has a threshold effect. Occasional use increases satisfaction, but excessive reliance decreases happiness,” explained Rababe Saadaoui, an urban planning expert at Arizona State University and lead author of the study. The research highlights how stress from traffic, reduced physical activity, diminished social interactions, and the financial burden of vehicle ownership contribute to this dissatisfaction.

Infrastructure across North America has long prioritized cars, with highways slicing through urban centers, causing congestion, air pollution, and community fragmentation. Policies promoting suburban sprawl and mandatory parking construction have eroded walkable neighborhoods and communal spaces, making even short trips heavily car-dependent—half of all car journeys in the U.S. are under three miles. In Canada, similar patterns emerge, with many urban centers struggling to meet the demand for efficient public transportation, leaving residents reliant on cars for everyday tasks.

Despite pledges from the Biden administration to invest in public transit and remove divisive highways, U.S. federal funding continues to favor road expansion, with over $60 billion allocated to roads and bridges next year. Meanwhile, Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver are grappling with underfunded public transit systems that fail to offer reliable alternatives to car travel. This focus neglects the needs of those without cars, a group often forced into deprivation due to poverty or disability. For individuals like Anna Zivarts, who cannot drive due to a neurological condition, the lack of alternatives creates isolation and added expense.

Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not an Option, advocates for inclusive transportation policies. “We need to include voices of those who can’t drive—disabled individuals, seniors, immigrants, and low-income groups—in planning discussions. Decision-makers often drive everywhere and don’t understand the struggles of relying on limited transit options,” she said.

While creating walkable communities and robust public transit systems requires long-term investment, immediate steps include considering the perspectives of non-drivers. Addressing the imbalance in North America’s transportation landscape could provide more choices and improve the overall quality of life for its citizens.