Transportation
Highways, mass transit, air traffic control, rail and shipping.
In 2015 it was $90.0B, or $122.3B in 2025 dollars; after inflation it has changed by +19.2% since then.
Over time
Net outlays for Transportation in each fiscal year, from the Treasury’s September statements.
The figures
| Fiscal year | Net outlays | In 2025 dollars | Share of all spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $145,804,369,617 | $145.8B | 2.1% |
| 2024 | $137,122,245,412 | $140.7B | 2.0% |
| 2023 | $127,234,007,406 | $134.4B | 2.1% |
| 2022 | $131,573,173,363 | $144.7B | 2.1% |
| 2021 | $154,791,903,950 | $183.9B | 2.3% |
| 2020 | $146,156,220,374 | $181.8B | 2.2% |
| 2019 | $96,220,213,803 | $121.2B | 2.2% |
| 2018 | $93,170,089,549 | $119.5B | 2.3% |
| 2017 | $93,943,349,015 | $123.4B | 2.4% |
| 2016 | $92,940,730,983 | $124.7B | 2.4% |
| 2015 | $90,040,935,238 | $122.3B | 2.4% |
What is inside it
Its subfunctions, by the gross outlays of every agency account classified to each: before collections and transfers are netted, so they add to more than the Treasury’s figure above.
- Ground transportation59.8%$101,945,400,343
- Air transportation30.1%$51,234,785,392
- Water transportation8.9%$15,241,574,308
- Other transportation1.2%$2,058,376,733
- Transportation<0.1%$15,228,181
- Gross outlays100%$170,495,364,957
Which agencies pay for each subfunction
Ground transportation
- Department of Transportation$101.8B99.9%
- Department of Homeland Security$101M0.1%
- Surface Transportation Board$47M<0.1%
- Department of the Treasury$60k<0.1%
Air transportation
- Department of Transportation$38.9B76.0%
- Department of Homeland Security$11.3B22.1%
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration$974M1.9%
- Department of the Treasury$87k<0.1%
Water transportation
- Department of Homeland Security$14.4B94.5%
- Department of Transportation$802M5.3%
- Federal Maritime Commission$40M0.3%
Other transportation
- Department of Transportation$1.89B91.9%
- National Transportation Safety Board$147M7.2%
- Department of Homeland Security$18M0.9%
Transportation
Which agencies pay for it
Gross outlays from each agency’s accounts in this function. Open an agency to see everything else it spends on.
- Department of Transportation$143.5B84.1%
- Department of Homeland Security$25.8B15.2%
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration$974M0.6%
- National Transportation Safety Board$147M0.1%
- Surface Transportation Board$47M<0.1%
- Federal Maritime Commission$40M<0.1%
- Department of the Treasury$147k<0.1%
The accounts it is paid from
Every federal account in the function, by the amount obligated (committed) in the year, which is what USAspending’s spending explorer reports by function; each account’s gross outlays are beside it where its agency reported them. Each opens on USAspending.gov.
- Federal-Aid Highways, Liquidation of Contract Authorization, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $56.4B gross outlays$58.9B29.8%
- Formula and Bus Grants, Liquidation of Contract Authorization, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $16.2B gross outlays$16.7B8.4%
- Operations, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $13.9B gross outlays$13.7B6.9%
- Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $2.02B gross outlays$12.4B6.3%
- Operations, Airport and Airway Trust Fund, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $12.5B gross outlays$12.1B6.1%
- Operations and Support, Coast Guard, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $10.9B gross outlays$11.2B5.7%
- Highway Infrastructure Programs, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $7.46B gross outlays$11.1B5.6%
- Operations and Support, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityAir transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $11.0B gross outlays$10.9B5.5%
- National Network Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.95B gross outlays$4.46B2.3%
- Grants-In-Aid for Airports, Liquidation of Contract Authorization, Airport and Airway Trust Fund, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $3.74B gross outlays$4.15B2.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Coast Guard, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $1.83B gross outlays$4.14B2.1%
- Capital Investments Grants, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $2.60B gross outlays$4.02B2.0%
- Facilities and Equipment, Airport and Airway Trust Fund, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $3.31B gross outlays$3.76B1.9%
- Airport Infrastructure Grants, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.87B gross outlays$3.66B1.8%
- Transit Infrastructure Grants, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $5.81B gross outlays$2.99B1.5%
- Northeast Corridor Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.71B gross outlays$2.34B1.2%
- Emergency Relief Program, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.44B gross outlays$1.94B1.0%
- Retired Pay, Coast Guard, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $1.02B gross outlays$1.09B0.6%
- National Infrastructure Investments, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $981M gross outlays$1.09B0.5%
- Neighborhood Access and Environmental Programs, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $79M gross outlays$1.06B0.5%
Show the other 97 accounts
- Airport Terminal Program, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $994M gross outlays$993M0.5%
- Aeronautics, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationAir transportation · National Aeronautics and Space Administration · $974M gross outlays$967M0.5%
- Highway Traffic Safety Grants, Liquidation of Contract Authorization, Trust Fund, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $938M gross outlays$959M0.5%
- Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grants, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $230M gross outlays$943M0.5%
- Facilities and Equipment, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $465M gross outlays$900M0.5%
- Administrative Services Franchise Fund, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $647M gross outlays$677M0.3%
- Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $36M gross outlays$591M0.3%
- Working Capital Fund, Office of the Secretary,TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $576M gross outlays$590M0.3%
- Grants-in-Aid for Airports, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $273M gross outlays$548M0.3%
- National Surface Transportation Finance Bureau, Highway Trust Fund Account, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $514M gross outlays$511M0.3%
- Payment to Air Carriers, Office of the Secretary, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $479M gross outlays$483M0.2%
- Motor Carrier Safety Grants, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $482M gross outlays$417M0.2%
- Motor Carrier Safety Operations and Programs, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $423M gross outlays$415M0.2%
- Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $498M gross outlays$396M0.2%
- General Fund Payment To National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau Highway Trust Fund Account, Upward Reestimates, Office of Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $389M gross outlays$389M0.2%
- Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Fund Contribution, United States Coast Guard, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $290M gross outlays$290M0.1%
- Safety and Operations, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $310M gross outlays$283M0.1%
- Working Capital Fund, Transportation Systems Center, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $269M gross outlays$278M0.1%
- Operations and Training, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $233M gross outlays$277M0.1%
- Aviation Security Capital Fund, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityAir transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $341M gross outlays$263M0.1%
- Port Infrastructure Development Program, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $123M gross outlays$255M0.1%
- Operations and Research, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $279M gross outlays$244M0.1%
- Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $16M gross outlays$239M0.1%
- Safe Streets and Roads for All, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $112M gross outlays$232M0.1%
- Pipeline Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $226M gross outlays$216M0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $206M gross outlays$212M0.1%
- Operation and Research, Liquidation of Contract Authorization, Limitation on Obligations, Highway Trust Fund, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $187M gross outlays$206M0.1%
- Crash Data, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $28M gross outlays$201M0.1%
- Essential Air Service and Rural Airport Improvement Fund, Office of the Secretary, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $156M gross outlays$193M0.1%
- Research, Engineering and Development, Airport and Airway Trust Fund, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $237M gross outlays$191M0.1%
- State Maritime Academy Operations, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $217M gross outlays$162M0.1%
- All Stations Accessibility Program, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $30M gross outlays$161M0.1%
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $115M gross outlays$156M0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, National Transportation Safety BoardOther transportation · National Transportation Safety Board · $147M gross outlays$154M0.1%
- Yard Fund, USCG, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $137M gross outlays$149M0.1%
- Boat Safety, USCG, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $127M gross outlays$140M0.1%
- Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $47M gross outlays$120M0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Office of Inspector General, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $118M gross outlays$114M0.1%
- Motor Carrier Safety Grants, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $90M gross outlays$97M<0.1%
- Research and Technology, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $72M gross outlays$90M<0.1%
- Vehicle Safety and Behavioral Research Programs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $15M gross outlays$85M<0.1%
- Supply Fund, USCG, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $76M gross outlays$72M<0.1%
- Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $75M gross outlays$70M<0.1%
- Operational Support, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $72M gross outlays$69M<0.1%
- Financial Assistance Oversight and Technical Assistance, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $70M gross outlays$68M<0.1%
- Maritime Guaranteed Loan, (Title XI) Program Account, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $68M gross outlays$68M<0.1%
- Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $67M gross outlays$66M<0.1%
- Ferry Service for Rural Communities, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $54M gross outlays$63M<0.1%
- Research, Engineering, and Development, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $15M gross outlays$62M<0.1%
- Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Program, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $4k gross outlays$56M<0.1%
- Cyber Security Initiatives, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $50M gross outlays$55M<0.1%
- Asset Concessions and Innovative Finance Assistance, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $50k gross outlays$48M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Surface Transportation BoardGround transportation · Surface Transportation Board · $47M gross outlays$48M<0.1%
- Supplemental Highway Traffic Safety Programs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $43M gross outlays$42M<0.1%
- Operations and Maintenance, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $40M gross outlays$40M<0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityGround transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $101M gross outlays$40M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Federal Maritime CommissionWater transportation · Federal Maritime Commission · $40M gross outlays$39M<0.1%
- Transportation Planning, Research and Development, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $28M gross outlays$38M<0.1%
- Transportation Demonstration Program, Office of the Secretary, TransportationTransportation · Department of Transportation · $15M gross outlays$38M<0.1%
- Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Fund, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $33M gross outlays$36M<0.1%
- Emergency Preparedness Grant, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $30M gross outlays$34M<0.1%
- Operational Expenses, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $33M gross outlays$31M<0.1%
- Railroad Research and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $44M gross outlays$31M<0.1%
- Trust Fund Share of Pipeline Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $27M gross outlays$30M<0.1%
- National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $11M gross outlays$24M<0.1%
- Restoration and Enhancement Grants, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $12M gross outlays$18M<0.1%
- Motor Carrier Safety Operations and Programs, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $12M gross outlays$18M<0.1%
- Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $18M gross outlays$16M<0.1%
- Research and Development, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityOther transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $18M gross outlays$14M<0.1%
- National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $12M gross outlays$14M<0.1%
- Assistance to Shipyards, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $14M gross outlays$12M<0.1%
- Ship Disposal, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $15M gross outlays$10.0M<0.1%
- Advances from State Cooperating Agencies, Foreign Governments, and Other Federal Agencies, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $11M gross outlays$8.6M<0.1%
- Research and Development, Coast Guard, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $7.2M gross outlays$6.4M<0.1%
- Transit Research, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $7.5M gross outlays$5.6M<0.1%
- Technical Assistance and Training, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $6.2M gross outlays$5.0M<0.1%
- Financial Management Capital, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $4.5M gross outlays$4.3M<0.1%
- General Gift Fund, USCG, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $3.5M gross outlays$3.9M<0.1%
- Vessel Operations Revolving Fund, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $3.8M gross outlays$3.7M<0.1%
- Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Outreach, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $5.6M gross outlays$3.2M<0.1%
- Railroad Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $466k gross outlays$2.4M<0.1%
- Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.5M gross outlays$1.5M<0.1%
- Unclaimed Checkpoint Money, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityAir transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $1.1M gross outlays$874k<0.1%
- Gifts and Bequests, Maritime Administration, TransportationWater transportation · Department of Transportation · $715k gross outlays$718k<0.1%
- Surface Transportation Priorities, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $4.1M gross outlays$700k<0.1%
- Contributions for Highway Research Program, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $495k gross outlays$653k<0.1%
- Thriving Communities, Office of the Secretary, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $17M gross outlays$623k<0.1%
- Intelligence and Vetting , Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityAir transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $2.3M gross outlays$586k<0.1%
- Miscellaneous Highway Project, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $13M gross outlays$508k<0.1%
- U.S. Coast Guard Housing Special Fund, Coast Guard, Homeland SecurityWater transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $8.7M gross outlays$316k<0.1%
- Aviation User Fees, Federal Aviation Administration, TransportationAir transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.3M gross outlays$204k<0.1%
- Highway Projects, Federal Highway Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $152k gross outlays$152k<0.1%
- New Headquarters Building, Office of the Secretary, TransportationOther transportation · Department of Transportation · $0 gross outlays$113k<0.1%
- Highway Trust Fund - Treasury Managed, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $28k gross outlays$28k<0.1%
- Formula Grants, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $1.3M gross outlays$14k<0.1%
- Administrative Expenses, Federal Transit Administration, TransportationGround transportation · Department of Transportation · $15k gross outlays$2k<0.1%
- Airport Checkpoint Screening Fund, Transportation Security Administration, Homeland SecurityAir transportation · Department of Homeland Security · $8k gross outlays$42<0.1%
Net outlays are the Monthly Treasury Statement’s, table 9. The subfunctions and agencies are the gross outlays agencies reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal year 2025; the accounts are its spending explorer’s obligations. In 2025 dollars restates each year with the CPI-U annual average of the calendar year the fiscal year ends in.