(AP) – Americans may be rounding a corner in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

New data shows that the number of daily passenger vehicle trips recently reached their pre-pandemic levels for the first time in a year.

Data from the transportation analytics firm Inrix also shows that vehicle miles traveled have surpassed pre-pandemic levels nationwide and are getting closer to it in some of the largest cities.

Transportation researchers say vehicle travel can provide a strong indication of the direction of the economy because people often are driving to get to work, school, shopping or heading out on vacation.