Parents clock up 1,250 miles a year as the ‘Taxi of Mum and Dad’
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
New research has revealed that over half of young adults still rely on their parents for transport, with mums and dads making an average of 177 trips a year—equivalent to more than 1,250 miles.
A study by Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, found that 53% of parents with children over 18 are still regularly providing lifts. On average, parents make 3.4 journeys per week, covering 24.1 miles. For some, the numbers are even higher, with one in ten making six or more trips weekly, adding up to 312 journeys a year.
The study highlights cost as a key reason why young adults remain dependent on parental transport. Some 41% of parents said their children had not learnt to drive due to the expense of owning and maintaining a car. A further 28% pointed to unreliable or inconvenient public transport as a factor.
For parents, the extra trips come with some frustrations. Traffic was the most common complaint, with 22% citing it as an issue. Late-night collections from social events (19%) and rising fuel costs (16%) were also common concerns. A quarter of parents admitted they had changed or cancelled their own plans due to their transport duties.
Despite this, the majority seem happy to help. Four in five parents said the extra driving had little to no impact on their daily lives, with many valuing the time spent together. A quarter enjoyed catching up on their child’s day, while 27% said they appreciated having meaningful conversations on the road.
Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader, said: “According to our research, the taxi of Mum and Dad remains a permanent fixture on UK roads, and doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, especially as the cost of driving lessons remain elevated for some. But despite this and parents clocking up some impressive mileage, it’s great to hear that they don’t mind providing transportation help, enjoying the extra time spent with their children.”
