The Most Expensive States to Own a Car in 2026

Delaware leads all states in annual car ownership costs at $7,452, despite having no state sales tax on vehicle purchases. Gas costs average $2,687 — the highest in the nation — and insurance premiums of $2,149 rank near the top nationally.

Delaware drivers log 23,290 miles a year, more than 2.5 times Iowa's 9,173 miles, generating $2,571 in maintenance costs, also the highest nationally. Delaware drivers pay 129% more annually than Iowa drivers.

Georgia has the nation's highest auto insurance premiums at $2,912 a year. Its $20 registration fee, the lowest in America, provides no meaningful offset against that insurance bill. Drivers log 14,137 miles annually, adding $1,561 in maintenance costs.

New Mexico's $2,160 insurance premiums rank near the top nationally, alongside above-average gas costs ($1,569). Drivers cover 15,267 miles a year, adding $1,685 in maintenance.

Insurance is Maine's biggest cost driver at $2,827 a year, second only to Georgia nationwide and the highest in the Northeast. Below-average mileage holds maintenance to $1,251, but insurance pushes Maine past $5,300.

California's gas costs hit $1,801 a year, among the nation's highest, alongside $524 in registration fees and $1,861 in insurance premiums. Below-average mileage (10,489 miles annually) limits maintenance to $1,158.

Mississippi's $719 registration fee is the highest in the nation. Drivers log 18,699 miles annually, pushing maintenance to $2,064. Gas costs of $1,072 and insurance of $1,310 round out the sixth-highest total nationwide.

Arizona's $564 registration fee ranks among the nation's highest, with costs tied to vehicle value and age. Insurance of $1,628 and $1,354 in maintenance from above-average mileage bring annual costs to just under $5,000.

Florida's insurance premiums of $1,963 rank near the top nationally. Registration fees of $297 and 12,700 miles of annual driving — generating $1,402 in maintenance — bring the total just below $5,000.

North Carolina's $1,524 in annual gas costs rank among the nation's highest. Registration fees of $370 and $1,582 in maintenance from 14,333 miles driven account for most of the remaining $4,911 total.

Iowa is the nation's cheapest state for car ownership at $3,261 a year. Insurance of $1,009 ranks among the lowest nationally, and 9,173 annual miles hold maintenance to $1,013. Gas costs of $906 and registration fees of $333 round out the total.

Montana ranks second at $3,271. Its 7,105 average annual miles, the lowest in the nation, produce just $784 in maintenance, also the lowest nationally. Fuel costs of $764 are the cheapest in the country, and insurance of $1,486 stays competitive despite $237 in registration fees.

Idaho ranks third at $3,315. Insurance of $983 ranks among the lowest nationally, and 9,908 annual miles generate $1,094 in maintenance. Registration fees of $126 and gas costs of $1,112 complete a consistently low-cost profile.

Ohio ranks fourth at $3,388, with $31 registration fees among the nation's lowest. Below-average costs across all three remaining categories — insurance ($1,078), gas ($1,120) and maintenance ($1,159) — keep the total consistently low.

North Dakota ranks fifth at $3,434. Below-average mileage of 9,764 miles holds maintenance to $1,078. Registration of $123, insurance of $1,264 and gas of $969 keep all four categories below the national median.

Washington's 8,294 annual miles generate just $916 in maintenance — among the nation's lowest. Registration fees of $73 and insurance of $1,162 offset gas costs of $1,286, landing the state sixth overall at $3,437.

Illinois ranks seventh at $3,467 despite Chicago's density. Insurance premiums of $952 rank among the study's lowest, and moderate mileage of 10,471 miles holds maintenance to $1,156. Low insurance offsets higher metro gas prices.

South Dakota ranks eighth at $3,479. Low mileage of 8,497 annually holds maintenance to $938, and gas costs of $860 are among the nation's lowest. Insurance premiums of $1,559 are the outlier.

Virginia has the nation's lowest insurance premiums at $902 a year. Registration fees of $36 and maintenance of $1,259 keep total costs at $3,481, even with gas running $1,284.