September U.S. Road Miles hits Record

Drivers logged a record-breaking 259.9 billion miles on U.S. roads in September, the most ever for the month and a 4.3 percent jump from last year, according to new data released Friday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Year to date, drivers have logged 2.36 trillion miles on U.S. roads, a 3.4 percent jump compared to the same stretch last year and the highest growth since 1997, DOT figures show.

The fresh numbers are the latest piece of evidence showing a sustained U.S. road revival that has been fueled by a rout in global petroleum prices and a growing U.S. economy. Driving activity in the United States is closely watched since the country accounts for about 10 percent of global gasoline demand.

"It's a huge number," said Phil Flynn, an analyst with the Price Futures Group. "It shows you that drivers are being inspired by the low prices. It also shows you that the economy may have bottomed out and is on the uptick."

The national average price for gasoline on Friday was $2.10 per gallon, down from $2.85 a year ago, according to AAA, the motorists' advocacy organization.

With the September 2015 estimates, the series of consecutive monthly mileage increases now stands at 19 months

Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw