PHOENIX — Drivers traveled nearly 67 billion miles across Arizona roads last year, making for the fifth year in a row that number has increased, the Arizona Department of Transportation reports.

The Traffic Volume Trends report from the Federal Highway Administration said Arizona drivers have increased their driving habits by 7.3 billion miles — that’s a 12-percent increase since 2011.

In 2016, Arizonans were on the road for a total of 1.8 billion more miles compared to 2015.

The report released by ADOT, which said that drivers across the United States traveled 3.2 trillion miles last year, emphasized the importance of state road upkeep and requirement for improved transportation across Arizona.

“Highways are key commerce corridors that drive economic growth and jobs,” director of ADOT John Halikowski said. “A well-built and well-maintained transportation system positions this growing state to capitalize on its proximity to major markets in California and Texas as well as south of the border.”

Arizona and the West showed the largest increase in travel across the United States from 2015 to 2016, according to the report.

Follow @KTAR923