What does the Department of Transportation do?

Data updated January 23, 2025

The Department of Transportation is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for overseeing national transportation systems and infrastructure. Its functions include developing and implementing federal transportation policies; ensuring the safety and efficiency of highways, railroads, air travel, and maritime transport; and administering funding for transportation projects including local transit systems. It was established in 1966.

Other names and abbreviations for the Department of Transportation:

  • DOT
  • USDOT
In FY 2024,

$117B

was spent by the Dept. of Transportation
In FY 2024,

1.7%

of federal spending was by the Dept. of Transportation
The Department of Transportation spent $117 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 1.7% of the $6.8 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked ninth among federal agencies in total spending.


The Department of Transportation accounted for 1.7% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

10 government agencies accounted for 97.0% of federal spending in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Since FY 1980, overall federal spending has risen 193.7%, while Department of Transportation spending has increased 65.9%.
The department’s spending grew less than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget decreased. In FY 2024, the Department of Transportation accounted for 1.7% of all federal spending, 1.4 percentage points lower than in FY 1980. In the last 10 years, that share has decreased 0.5 point.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Department of Transportation’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to DOT, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, the Department of Transportation transferred 81.2% of its total spending to states and local governments.
The chart below outlines all DOT spending.


How did the Department of Transportation spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government spending isolated to DOT, FY 2024

Federal agencies often contain divisions including bureaus, offices, and subagencies. In FY 2024, the Department of Transportation's divisions with the highest expenditures were the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Department of Transportation’s highest-spending division is the Federal Highway Administration.

DOT spending by division, FY 2024

Who leads the Department of Transportation?

DOT is headed by the secretary of Transportation, who is nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and then sworn into office. They are one of the 15 cabinet members who serve at the president's discretion. They are responsible for overseeing national transportation policies and systems. This appointed position typically ends when the appointee resigns, is replaced, or when a new president assumes office and appoints their own cabinet, though some may serve temporarily during transitions between administrations.

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo