What Is the Average Car Mileage Per Year?

Updated: November 20, 2024

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A cheerful woman in a striped shirt is behind the wheel of a car, smiling broadly.

The average annual mileage for U.S. drivers is 13,596 miles, or about 37 miles per day and 1,133 miles per month, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Collectively, American drivers drove nearly 3.2 trillion miles in 2022. To put that in perspective, it's equivalent to driving to the sun and back over 17,200 times. This distance also covers more than 560 round trips to Neptune, the farthest planet from Earth.

With cars remaining the dominant form of travel, understanding how far Americans drive each year provides valuable insights into insurance rates, gas budgets and vehicle maintenance costs.

Key Takeaways

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The average car mileage per year across the U.S. is 13,596 miles.

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On average, men drive 6,000 miles more than women each year — 16,550 miles compared to women's 10,142 miles.

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Working-age individuals drive the most, while younger and older drivers typically cover half as many miles.

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Wyoming drivers have the highest average yearly mileage at 21,589 miles, while New York drivers cover the least, averaging 9,548 miles per year.

Average Miles Driven by Age

Drivers between the ages of 20 and 54 are the most active on the road, averaging between 15,098 and 15,291 miles annually. In contrast, teen drivers (16–19) cover significantly fewer miles, averaging 7,624 miles annually. Older drivers (65 and above) have similar driving patterns to teens, with an average of 7,646 miles per year. Mileage begins to drop notably after age 55, with drivers in the 55 to 64 age range averaging 11,972 miles annually.

Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group
Age
Average Miles Per Year

16–19

7,624

20–34

15,098

35–54

15,291

55–64

11,972

65+

7,646

Average Miles Driven by Gender

Men generally drive more than women across all age groups. Men aged 35 to 54 cover the most distance, driving an average of 18,858 miles annually. In comparison, women in this age group drive 11,464 miles per year. The most active drivers for women are those aged 20 to 34, who average 12,004 miles annually, slightly more than women aged 35 to 54.

Regardless of gender, younger and older drivers spend the least time on the road. However, women drivers aged 65 onward have the lowest comparative average annual mileage amongst all ages and genders.

Average Annual Miles per Driver by Gender
Age
Male
Female

16–19

8,206

6,873

20–34

17,976

12,004

35–54

18,858

11,464

55–64

15,859

7,780

65+

10,304

4,785

Average Miles Driven by State

Driving habits vary significantly by state. Wyoming leads the country with the highest average annual mileage per driver at 21,589 miles. On the other end, drivers in New York average the least among states, with drivers covering just 9,548 miles annually. This means drivers in Wyoming travel over two times the distance of those in New York. However, drivers in Washington, D.C., log even fewer miles at 6,694.

Use the interactive map below to explore the average miles driven in your state.

States With the Highest Average Car Mileage

Many states with the highest average annual mileage are located in more rural areas. In these states, lower population density and limited public transportation options make driving a necessity for longer trips, whether for work, errands or leisure. Below are the top five states where drivers cover the most miles each year:

    wyoming icon

    Wyoming

    21,589 miles per year

    indiana icon

    Indiana

    20,560 miles per year

    mississippi icon

    Mississippi

    19,517 miles per year

    missouri icon

    Missouri

    18,514 miles per year

    newMexico icon

    New Mexico

    17,786 miles per year

States With the Lowest Average Car Mileage

States with more urban areas and developed public transportation systems tend to have lower annual mileage. In these states, the availability of public transit, higher population density and proximity to essential services reduce the need for extensive driving, resulting in lower average mileage. Below are the five states where drivers cover the least miles per year:

    newYork icon

    New York

    9,548 miles per year

    washington icon

    Washington

    9,819 miles per year

    rhodeIsland icon

    Rhode Island

    9,903 miles per year

    alaska icon

    Alaska

    10,510 miles per year

    pennsylvania icon

    Pennsylvania

    10,950 miles per year

How Car Mileage Impacts Car Insurance

How much you drive influences your car insurance premium. Insurers often view higher mileage as an increased risk, as spending more time on the road raises the likelihood of accidents. Drivers who cover more miles annually may face higher insurance rates than those who drive less.

Driving fewer miles per year can lead to cheaper insurance if you opt for a pay-per-mile policy. Instead of a fixed premium, pay-per-mile insurance allows drivers to pay based on the actual miles they drive, potentially saving money for those who drive less.

Some insurers also offer cheaper low-mileage car insurance, which rewards drivers who drive fewer miles annually by lowering their insurance premiums.

Driver Mileage FAQ

Learn more about car mileage in the U.S. by exploring the frequently asked questions below.

How do I calculate my annual mileage?

What is considered low mileage for car insurance discounts?

How does mileage affect used car value?

What is the high mileage for a car?

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About Nathan Paulus


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Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.


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