When Cars Drive Themselves, What Happens to the Roads?

Marketers chase speed and efficiency, so what happens when our roads no longer have to? This episode asks a question few are considering: in a future where autonomous vehicles dominate, do we still need roads as we know them? Inspired by our last episode on VaaS (Vehicle as a Service), we explore the staggering 40 million acres of U.S. roadways that could soon be obsolete. Think fewer lanes, tighter convoys, and high-speed tunnels. But the real question is, what happens to all that reclaimed land?

We break down why current road systems are designed around human error and how automation flips that on its head. From ultra-efficient vehicle-to-vehicle communication to a six-foot-wide road replacing your local four-lane, this isn’t a distant sci-fi future, it’s the next logical evolution. The potential land value? Anywhere between $160 billion and $3.5 quadrillion, depending on your zip code. So what would you do with a blacktop goldmine?

Key Takeaways

• Today’s road infrastructure exists to protect us from ourselves, autonomous vehicles won’t need the same.
• Self-driving convoys could reduce lane sizes, car spacing, and overall road surface by staggering margins.
• High-speed tunnel systems may eliminate the need for above-ground highways altogether.
• The U.S. has 40 million acres tied up in roads and parking, imagine converting that to parks, forests, or community spaces.
• Land once devoted to cars could become one of the most valuable assets of the AI-driven future.

👉 Modern marketing without the headaches. Take a look at FOMO.ai.

❓7 Common Questions you Must Hear!

How many acres of land in the U.S. are used for roads and parking?

Roughly 40 million acres are paved for vehicles, roads, highways, and parking lots. That’s nearly the size of the entire state of Washington.

Why would autonomous vehicles reduce the need for wide roads?

Self-driving cars communicate with each other in real time, allowing them to drive closer together with fewer safety margins, which drastically reduces the space required.

What’s the estimated value of land currently under U.S. roadways?

Depending on the valuation model, it ranges from $160 billion (agricultural value) to $3.5 quadrillion (urban pricing like Manhattan).

Wouldn’t we still need sidewalks and bike lanes?

Not necessarily everywhere. With fewer cars on the road and more controlled traffic flow, neighborhoods could redesign infrastructure around pedestrians and cyclists first.

What kind of speeds could autonomous vehicles reach in future systems?

In enclosed, optimized environments like tunnels, speeds could vastly exceed today’s limits due to precision coordination and lack of human error.

How does vehicle-to-vehicle communication improve traffic?

It allows every car to know where others are and adjust seamlessly, reducing braking, collisions, and inefficiencies caused by unpredictable human driving.

Could this shift actually benefit the environment?

Yes, reclaiming road space for green areas, reducing car emissions, and optimizing traffic flow would significantly reduce environmental impact.

👉 Faster content, higher quality. Find out how at FOMO.ai.

Author: FOMO.ai / Dax Hamman