Average Miles Driven Per Year By Us Car Owners-See the Data

One of the things that Americans do most in their lives is commuting from one place to another. US cities are extremely large, and driving is the only viable method of transport for the majority.

You might be asking yourself, how far do Americans travel each year by car? In other words, what are the average miles driven per year?

We can tell you that the number is not the same for everyone. It greatly depends on age, gender, and state. So, in this article, we are going to break down the data and learn what the average miles driven per year is in the US. So, let’s dive in.

The National Average

Let’s start by covering the national average. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) tracks and collects all of this data. According to their most recent research, the national average miles driven per year in the US is around 13,662 miles.

This means that the average American covers about 1,100 miles a month. In order to put these numbers in perspective, this is like driving from New York to Los Angeles four and a half times a year.

However, it is worth noting that the national average is not as precise as you would think because there are many demographic differences and also differences by state.

For example, a teen from California will not drive the same mileage as a retiree from Florida, or as a truck driver from Texas.

This is why we feel that we need to further elaborate on the different factors contributing to the average miles driven per year in the US.

Driving Patterns by Age

Age plays a big role when it comes to the average miles driven per year.

Teens (16-19): On average teens drive around 7,600 miles a year. Many of them are still relying on their parents or public transport. Usually, states that allow teens to drive at 16 years old have higher average miles in this demographic than states that give permission at 18 years of age.

Young Adults (20-34): In this group, driving peaks at about 15,000 miles a year. This group is one of the most active when it comes to commutes. Usually traveling to school, work, or on road trips.

Middle-aged adults (35-54): This group travels slightly more, at around 15,300 miles on average. Work and family duties accumulate the most of this mileage.

Older drivers (65+): Driving drops for seniors to less than 7,600 miles a year. People’s lives slow down as we age because of retirement, health, and other lifestyle changes.

Driving Patterns by Gender

Gender also plays a huge role in the average miles driven per year.

Men: Men are driving more than women, averaging an annual 16,500 miles. This is often due to the fact that men work in professions that require driving longer trips, and also most professional drivers are men.

Women: Women drive about 10,000 miles a year. However, this number is steadily climbing and in a couple more years, we can expect that men and women will be pretty much equal in terms of average miles driven per year.

Driving Patterns by State

Now, let’s cover another very important factor when it comes to the average miles driven per year in the US. That is geography. Urban states like New York have extremely low averages below 10,000 miles a year, while rural states like Wyoming have an average of well above 24,000 miles.

Here is the full table of every state in the US and their yearly average:

State	Average Annual Miles	State	Average Annual Miles	State	Average Annual Miles	State	Average Annual Miles
Alabama	17,684	Iowa	13,973	New Jersey	11,380	Vermont	14,927
Alaska	10,695	Kansas	15,721	New Mexico	18,283	Virginia	14,815
Arizona	12,871	Kentucky	16,324	New York	9,750	Washington	9,951
Arkansas	16,949	Louisiana	16,319	North Carolina	15,133	West Virginia	14,104
California	11,412	Maine	13,975	North Dakota	17,035	Wisconsin	15,245
Colorado	12,181	Maryland	13,243	Ohio	13,421	Wyoming	21,575
Connecticut	11,588	Massachusetts	12,481	Oklahoma	17,617
Delaware	10,968	Michigan	12,739	Oregon	11,700
District of Columbia	6,678	Minnesota	13,978	Pennsylvania	10,961
Florida	14,055	Mississippi	19,766	Rhode Island	9,923
Georgia	16,426	Missouri	18,758	South Carolina	14,835
Hawaii	11,058	Montana	15,589	South Dakota	15,026
Idaho	14,104	Nebraska	14,619	Tennessee	16,281
Illinois	11,918	Nevada	12,310	Texas	15,676
Indiana	18,052	New Hampshire	12,391	Utah	15,041

Why These Numbers Matter

Knowing the average miles driven by year is more than just a fun fact. This knowledge has plenty of real-world uses:

Insurance Premiums: Auto insurers are setting their rates based on how much you drive every year. A person who drives more than 20,000 miles will pay more than a person who drives 6,000 miles.

Car Value: Lower-mileage vehicles have a bigger resale value compared to vehicles with higher miles. Buyers compare the miles and the national average to determine wear and tear.

Fuel and maintenance costs: The more you drive, the more money you will spend on fuel and maintenance procedures such as oil changes and repairs.

Road Planning: State and federal agencies use this data to forecast highway wear and design new projects.

Conclusion

The average miles driven per year in the US is 13,662 miles. But it is worth noting that these figures change with age, gender, and state.

Younger and middle-aged drivers log the most mileage. Men drive more than women, and rural states are leading urban states by a wide margin.

These numbers matter a lot, specifically for insurance, car value, and cost of ownership. Besides this, they shape road policy and planning. Whether you drive 5,000 miles or 30,000 miles, knowing where you fit in these numbers will help you make smarter choices about your car purchases and budget.