What is Average Mileage Per Year?
The average distance driven is different for every driver. But on average, drivers travel 13,476 miles per year on U.S. roads, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Understanding average mileage per year can help you make smarter decisions while driving. It may also help you determine how your driving habits compare to others’. Read on for answers to common questions about average miles per year.
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What Is the Average Mileage Motorists Drive Each Year?
The FHWA states that the average person drives around 13,500 miles per year. It equates to well over 1,000 miles every month.
Drivers between the ages of 20-54 report the highest average annual mileages. For comparison, drivers between the ages of 16-19 and drivers over age 65 have the lowest average mileages, with an average distance of around 7,600 miles per year.
The data also shows that males tend to drive more than females. The average annual mileage for males is 16,550, whereas the average annual mileage for females is only 10,142.
What Can the Average Mileage per Year Tell Me?
You might be wondering why it’s important to understand the average mileage of drivers in the U.S. The average mileage can tell you a few important things, including:
How your driving habits compare to other motoristsWhether a used car has been driven a lot or a littleWhether you could qualify for a low-mileage insurance discount
Compare your own mileage to the national average each year to see how the two figures stack up. If you find that your average mileage is significantly less than average, you might consider switching to a low mileage auto insurance policy, which could help you save money.
What Information Matters When Considering Average Mileage per Year?
The average mileage of U.S. drivers varies from year to year. However, there are a handful of factors that impact the average mileage:
Most drivers are traveling more each year. Data shows that drivers are traveling more than they have in the past. The FHWA found that U.S. motorists drove 277.4 billion miles in March 2022, which is an increase from 7.9 billion miles in March 2021, and up from 5 billion miles in March 2019.Men pay more for their annual car insurance than women. One of the reasons why men tend to pay higher car insurance rates than women is because men travel more. As a result, the accident rate for males tends to be higher.Fewer teens are getting their driver’s licenses. In 2018, roughly 60% of 18-year-olds in the U.S. had a driver’s license, which is a big decrease from 80% percent in 1983. As a result, there are fewer young people on the road. Senior driving is up. While younger drivers are reluctant to get behind the wheel, seniors love independence. Motorists over the age of 65 are retaining their license for longer than seniors of past generations. They are also driving more than in the past.
How Many More Cars Are on U.S. Roads Each Year?
There are more cars on American roads every year. As of 2022, there were an estimated 290.8 million vehicles in the U.S. However, the number of vehicles change yearly.
What Should I Consider When Using Mileage Statistics to Buy a Car?
Many Americans are driving more than they used to. If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, understanding mileage statistics can be beneficial. You can assume that most used cars have more miles on them than they had in the past. Because of that, you might need to accept a car with more miles on it than you intended or buy a more recent model if you’re looking for something with fewer miles.
Which State’s Residents Drive the Highest Average Miles Per Year?
Average mileage can also differ based on location. One study found that the residents of Wyoming have the highest average miles per year, according to Department of Transportation statistics reported by I Drive Safely. The top 10 states with the highest average miles per year are as follows:
Wyoming: 21,821 milesGeorgia: 18,920 milesOklahoma: 18,891 milesNew Mexico: 18,369 milesMinnesota: 17,887 milesIndiana: 17,821 milesMississippi: 17,699 milesMissouri: 17,396 milesKentucky: 17,370 milesTexas: 16,347 miles
Which State’s Residents Drive the Lowest Average Miles Per Year?
Drivers in Alaska and Arkansas report the lowest average mileages per year. Drivers in both states travel just 9,915 miles, on average, each year. Some other states with relatively low average mileage per year include:
California: 14,435 milesFlorida: 11,836 milesNew York: 11,871 miles
It’s no coincidence that California, Florida, and New York are densely populated states. When cities are close together, residents typically travel a shorter distance for work and leisure.
States with more rural areas, such as Wyoming and Oklahoma, often require drivers to travel further for their basic needs.
Finance & Insurance Editor
Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer with more than three years of experience covering personal finance and insurance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including car insurance and property insurance. Her byline has appeared in dozens of online finance publications, like The Balance, Investopedia, Reviews.com, Forbes, and Bankrate.
