The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Qinghai followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase. To get a sense of how street development has changed in Qinghai, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Xining, Golmud and Datong. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Xining peaked in 1976-1990. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Golmud followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Datong followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease.

As of 2020, the city with the most disconnected street network in Qinghai is Shangguancun with an SNDi of 7.36, which is very sprawly. Conversely, the most connected city is Ping'an with an SNDi of 1.5, which is very well-connected. See trends for these cities: Ping'an, Shangguancun

The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Qinghai peaked in 1976-1990. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in Qinghai, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Xining, Golmud and Datong. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Xining peaked in 1991-2005. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Golmud fell steadily. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Datong followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.