USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Site Notification

Site Notification

U.S. Department of TransportationU.S. Department of Transportation IconUnited States Department of TransportationUnited States Department of Transportation
BTS> TranStats
transtats logo
 
Advanced Search
Resources
Data Tools
: Household Side Trips
   Database Profile   Data Tables   Table Contents
Property Description
NameHousehold Side Trips
DescriptionThe file gives information on sidetrips taken by the household.
Records337,520
Fields74
First Year1995
Last Year1995
FrequencyNon-continuous
Latest Available Data1995
  
TermsDefinitions
Census DivisionGroupings of states that are subdivisions of the four census regions. There are nine divisions, which the Census Bureau adopted in 1910 for the presentation of data.
Census RegionGroupings of states that subdivide the United States for the presentation of data. There are four regions -- Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Each of the four divisions is divided into two or more census divisions.
Duration Of TripNumber of nights spent away from home on a trip and includes nights spent at the destination, nights spent en route and nights spent on side trips. It is possible for a trip not to involve an overnight stay from home; a traveler could take a trip of 100 miles or more and return on the same day.
East North Central DivisionOhio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin
East South Central DivisionKentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi
FIPSFederal Information Processing Standards. Usually referring to a code assigned to any of a variety of geographic entities (e.g. counties, states, metropolitan areas, etc). FIPS codes are intended to simplify the collection, processing, and dissemination of data and resources of the Federal Government.
Metropolitan AreaA large population nucleus, together with adjacent communities that have a high degree of economic and social integration with that nucleus. A metropolitan area (MA) may be defined around two or more nuclei. The MA is a statistical standard designated and defined by the Office of Management and Budget, following a set of official published standards. An MA comprises one or more counties except in New England where MAs are composed of cities and towns rather than whole counties. Classifications of MAs include metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and consolidated metropolitan statistical area (CMSA) that is divided into primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSA).
Metropolitan Statistical AreaA relatively freestanding metropolitan area (MA) that is not closely associated with other MAs. These areas typically are surrounded by nonmetropolitan counties. A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) comprises one or more counties except in New England where MSAs are composed of cities and towns rather than whole counties.
Mid Atlantic DivisionNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Mountain DivisionMontana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada
New England DivisionMaine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
Pacific DivisionWashington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii
Person-MilesAn estimate of the aggregate distances traveled by all persons who took a trip and is based on the estimated transportation network miles traveled on the trip.
Person-NightsThe aggregate number of nights spent by all persons on a trip. For example, if two people took a trip that involved five nights away from home, a total of 10 person-nights would be counted for that trip.
Personal Use Vehicle TripAny trip in which the main type of transportation used to cover most of the miles on that trip was auto, pickup truck, van, other truck, rental car, truck or van, recreational vehicle, or motorcycle.
Pleasure TripAny trip where the purpose of the trip is given as to visit friends or relatives, rest or relaxation, school activities, sightseeing, entertainment, outdoor recreation, or shopping.
Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA)A component area of a consolidated metropolitan statistical area (CMSA). Any metropolitan area having more than one million persons may be divided in to subareas called primary metropolitan statistical areas (PSMAs) based on criteria established by the Office of Management and Budget. PMSAs consist of a large urbanized county or cluster of counties that demonstrates very strong internal economic and social links, in addition to close ties to other portions of the larger area. In New England, PMSAs are composed of cities and towns rather than whole counties.
Principal Means Of TransportationThe means of transportation used for most of the distance from the origin to the destination. Respondents were asked to report separately the major type of transportation used for going and for returning on the trip. If a different means was used for going and returning, the major means of transportation was the mode used on the going trip.
RaceThe race with which the respondent and other household members most closely identify. Choices include: White, Black, American Indian, Eskimo, Or Aleut, Asian Or Pacific Islander, and Other Race.
RespondentThe person who reported the information about the trip. Survey procedures specified that persons 15 years old or older be interviewed personally about any trips they took during the reference period. Household trips taken by more than one household member were reported by the first member interviewed who went on the trip. Trips taken by household members under 15 years of age were reported by a knowledgeable adult household member. Procedures were established to ensure that a household trip taken by more than one household member was reported only once with an indication of each of the household members on the trip.
Round Trip DistanceEstimated transportation network miles traveled from the residence of the household at the time of the trip to the destination and back. Miles are calculated separately from origin to destination and destination to origin and added together to allow for differences in routes traveled each way.
South Atlantic DivisionDelaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
Travel Party SizeAny of three groups depending on whether household and/or non-household members were on the trip. Travel Party is the total number of household and non-household members on the trip. Household Travel Party is the total number of household members on the trip. Non-Household Travel Party is the total number of non-household members on the trip.
Travel Party TypeAny of eight categories describing the number of adults and children in the group.
TripEach time a person goes to a place at least 100 miles away from home and returns. Respondents were asked to report trips of 75 miles or more as a means of reducing possible failure in reporting trips of 100 miles or more due to a misconception by the respondent of the actual miles traveled. Trips subsequently calculated to be less than 100 miles were excluded from the estimates. A household trip refers to a trip in which one or more members of a household traveled together. A person trip refers to a trip taken by an individual. For example, if three persons from the same household go together on a trip, the trip is counted as one household trip and three person trips. If persons goes alone on two trips, the trips are counted as two household trips and two person trips.
USPS CodesUnited States Postal Service (USPS) codes for States are used in all American Travel Survey (ATS) data products. The codes are two-character alphabetic abbreviations. These codes are the same as the FIPS two-character alphabetic abbreviations.
Vacation TripNot listed as a main purpose of travel for the American Travel Survey. Respondents were asked whether or not a specific trip taken was considered as a vacation trip. Respondents were also asked the main purpose of a trip (e.g. sightseeing, outdoor recreation, entertainment, business, etc).
VehiclesIncludes cars, trucks, vans, recreational vehicles (RVs), and motorcycles. The number and type of vehicles owned or available for use by the household.
Weekend TripA trip including an overnight stay on a Friday or a Saturday night. Travelers who stay one or two nights away including a Friday or Saturday night are defined as regular weekend travelers. Those who stay three to five nights away including a Friday and/or Saturday night stay are defined as long weekend travelers.
West North Central DivisionMinnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas
West South Central DivisionArkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas