Data Demonstrates Increase in Mobility and Upsurge in COVID-19 Cases
Spireon data shows that 10-14 days after recent spikes in driving activity, there have been corresponding upticks in the number of reported cases of COVID-19.

Spireon gathered and analyzed 8 billion data points nationwide, studying the driving activity of over three million vehicles starting March 1, to understand the relationship between spikes in driving and growth in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Source: Spireon
Spireon, a vehicle intelligence company, revealed an analysis of proprietary consumer driving data that signals a distinct relationship between increased driving that has occurred following stay-at-home orders and increase in COVID-19 cases both at the state and national level.
Specifically, Spireon data shows that 10-14 days after recent spikes in driving activity, there have been corresponding upticks in the number of reported cases of COVID-19.
This timeframe mirrors the incubation period of the virus, with the data serving as another indication that surges in public mobility can lead to an escalation of viral infections.
“As the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping across the nation, claiming the lives of thousands of Americans and causing disruption across industries, analysis of Spireon data shows clearly that having more vehicles on the road has negative implication for the spread of the virus,” stressed Spireon CEO Kevin Weiss. “The correlation between more driving activity and new cases of the virus further substantiates the importance of social distancing. We want these findings to serve as an important public service announcement as we all strategize ways to reopen the economy safely.”
Spireon gathered and analyzed 8 billion data points nationwide, studying the driving activity of more than 3 million vehicles starting March 1, to understand the relationship between spikes in driving and growth in the number of COVID-19 cases. Driving activity was measured against baseline reflecting average driving activity before COVID-19.
At the state level, an analysis of 1.1 million vehicles and 2.5 billion data points shows a significant increase in driving occurred immediately following the shelter-in-place orders in states such as California and Texas.
Subsequently, approximately 10-14 days after the surge in driving, the number of reported COVID-19 cases also rose. The 10-14 day delay in infections matches the duration of the COVID-19 incubation period, as outlined by the World Health Organization.
In Florida and Louisiana, spikes in driving during spring break yielded the same result. Nationwide, driving data reveal a significant uptick in driving over Easter weekend, from Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, which is already beginning to reflect an increase of COVID-19 infections this week.
“As the largest aftermarket telematics supplier in the country, Spireon’s data analysis team has unique visibility to a large volume of commercial and consumer driving data,” said Prem Hareesh, senior vice president of software engineering at Spireon. “As COVID-19 has rapidly transformed American life, our team continues to analyze how state and federal order, major holidays and more are causing spikes in driving that leads to increase in viral infections.”
Spireon data also shows that reported COVID-19 cases notably dropped following a 40-50% downturn in driving activity at both the state and national level in late March. These findings support public health guidelines enforced during the pandemic and illustrate the strong causal relationship between mobility and increased infections.
Originally posted on Work Truck Online
More Rental Operations

Southwest Airlines Selects CarTrawler For Its Car Rental Booking Platform
The platform is designed to allow customers to compare and book rental vehicles more easily during the travel booking process.
Read More →
Cross-Pressures, Evolving Trends Drive 2026 Rental Car Industry
A combination of cautious economic behavior, shifts in the rental vehicle market, and technological influences are shaping car rental operator decisions.
Read More →
Government Affairs Executive Wins Leading Rental Car Industry Award
Robert Muhs started in the car rental industry with Avis Budget Group two years before the first International Car Rental Show.
Read More →
Green Motion Expands Its African Presence with Mozambique Launch
This new rental car outlet reflects the growing demand for reliable transportation and the emphasis on sustainable travel across the continent.
Read More →
RentalMatics, GeoInt Partner On Rental Car Speed Tracking Tech
Rental operators can now detect and act on speeding while vehicles are still on rent, thereby reducing fines, admin workload, vehicle wear, and safety risks.
Read More →
NextPass Expands Toll Payment Service to Highway In Toronto
Fleets and consumer can use a transponder-less option when traveling between Canada and the U.S.
Read More →
Zubie, PurCo Integrate Rental Damage Detection With Telematics
The combination brings actionable vehicle insights into PurCo’s PurInspect platform, improving damage detection and operational efficiency for rental fleets.
Read More →
U.S. Length Of Rental (LOR) Declines Slightly in Q1 2026
LOR related to insurance claims overall continues to trend downward, but ongoing market and economic conditions could affect future results while the industry deals with staffing and productivity challenges.
Read More →
Hertz, Uber Deepen Roles In Self-Driving And Driver-Led Fleet Services
The business arrangement connects demand with scalable fleet management services and supports a range of mobility uses.
Read More →
Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds
The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.
Read More →
