Average Miles Driven Per Year in the U.S. (2024)

Many unique factors influence how much and how far Americans drive, but one thing’s for sure: We drive a lot. The average American drove 13,482 miles in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Still, Americans are actually driving less than we were even 10 years ago. Though annual mileage increased consistently from 1980 to 2007, it dropped when the recession hit in 2008 and even more dramatically during the pandemic in 2020. Americans got back on the road, but mileage rates haven’t quite reached the same levels.

Insurify analyzed data from the FHWA, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), and scholarly and industry sources to determine which Americans drive the most and what influences those driving habits.

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Average number of miles Americans drive per year

The most recent FHWA data shows Americans drove an average of 13,482 miles in 2022. The annual average over the previous decade is 13,930 miles, and the average annual mileage has been between 13,000 and 15,000 since 1993. The pandemic caused a dip in 2020 to 12,397 average annual miles — the lowest since 1987 — as Americans switched to remote work and limited travel. Mileage went back up to around 13,800 in 2021.

Americans drove a little more each year from 1980 to 2007 when the Great Recession hit. Gas prices increased significantly in 2008, rising from $3.10 per gallon in January to $4.11 in July.^[1] Prices dropped to $1.75 by December because the recession caused declining demand.

Americans drove less in 2022 as well, when gas costs reached a record $5.03 per gallon in June due to economic disruptions from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gas costs around $3.50 per gallon today, and driving never returned to the normal curve following the recession.

Average number of miles driven by state

Factors that relate to location can significantly affect how many miles a person drives per year. Population density, cost of living, employment levels, public transportation accessibility, and neighborhood design all influence whether someone needs a vehicle or can afford one.^[2]

For example, drivers in rural areas often need to drive further distances to get anywhere, but drivers in urban areas may drive more frequently to a closer location. In general, drivers in the Northeast drive less than drivers in other regions of the U.S.

States with the highest average miles driven

The states where people drive the most each year are largely in the South and Midwest. These areas share a few characteristics, namely small towns, large swaths of rural land, and limited public transportation in urban areas. Drivers may need to travel long distances to work or school and for essentials like groceries and healthcare.

New Mexico and Wyoming are also known for their scenic driving routes, so road trips could contribute to the higher annual mileage.

States with the lowest average miles driven

Many of these states have better public transportation options, reducing the overall average mileage per licensed driver.^[3] New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania all have robust urban public transit, and Connecticut and New Jersey also have many residents commuting into Manhattan by train.

The states that drive the least tend to be smaller or less populous and have more urban areas, shortening the driving distance to essential locations.

Average number of miles driven per year by age and gender

Demographics like age and gender can shed some light on why the average person drives. For example, male Americans ages 30–54 drive the most, and women 65 and older drive the least. Here’s what we can learn about driving trends from the most recent FHWA statistics.

Average miles driven by age

Driving habits often shift with age. Working-age Americans between ages 20 and 54 drive the most — about 15,195 miles per year on average. Americans who are still working but nearing retirement age drive about 21% less than drivers 20 to 54 years old.

Teens and seniors drive the least — almost the same average annual miles — at about half as much as working-age Americans.

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Average miles driven by gender

Though female licensed drivers outnumber male licensed drivers by more than 2 million, men across every age group drive more than women on average. The difference is especially significant for older drivers: Male drivers aged 55 to 64 drive more than twice as many miles annually as women of the same age.

Even among working-age Americans ages 20 to 64, men drive 59% more than women on average. The smallest difference is among young drivers: Male drivers 16 to 19 years old only drive about 19% more than female drivers.

This difference could be due to various factors, including commuting habits and societal norms. Men are also more likely to engage in risky driving practices, which leads to higher crash rates and more severe accidents involving male drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).^[4]

Where Americans drive the most

Though rural drivers often need to travel further for essential trips, 2022 data shows vehicles in urban areas traveled more miles per year on average. Light-duty vehicles — think passenger cars — traveled more than double the average miles traveled in rural areas. Even large trucks covered more miles in urban areas, though only about 8% more.

This could, in part, come down to the definition of “urban” and “rural.” The FHWA doesn’t track miles traveled in “suburban” areas. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, urban areas consist of “urbanized areas” with a population of 50,000 or more, and “urban clusters” have a population of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000.

Though 97% of land is rural, the smaller populations living in technically rural areas — with a population of less than 2,500 — may be in the vicinity of urban areas and driving to or within them for essential goods.^[5]

Why Americans drive

Americans drive mostly for social or recreational reasons and to get to and from work, according to the 2022 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS).

The average American household travels for family or personal errands about half as much as work and socializing, with trips for shopping coming in last. Even in a post-pandemic economy, 68.7% report they get to work by driving alone and 15.2% of Americans work from home, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Many occupations require driving a vehicle on the job. For example, nearly all truck and delivery service drivers and police patrol officers need to drive on the job, while only 10%–12% of nurses need to drive while at work.

Factors that affect how many miles you drive per year

Multiple factors can affect how many miles a person drives in a year. Family life and structure, transit access, ability, and even economic status could change how much you need or want to drive. These are a few factors that can affect your annual mileage:

• 

  Location

  Where you live in relation to a grocery store, your school, work, a doctor’s office, and other places important to your life will significantly affect how much and how far you drive. Your access to public transportation and available nearby routes could also influence your travel choices.

• 

  Commute distance

  The majority of working Americans drive alone to get to their jobs, so the distance from home to work is a key factor for annual mileage. You may not need to drive at all, opting for transit or cycling, or you may have a long drive through highway rush-hour traffic.

• 

  Occupation

  If you have to drive for your job, you’ll have a much higher annual mileage than someone who only commutes to work. For example, mechanics, construction managers, and insurance agents are all occupations that often require driving on the job.

• 

  Age

  A 17-year-old still new to driving and who may only drive around town or to school will have lower annual mileage than a 41-year-old commuting into the city for work. Your physical ability, life phase, and personal choices, like whether you have children, can all affect your annual mileage.

• 

  Gender

  While it’s less direct, gender can influence mileage when it comes to factors like driving behavior, employment status, family choices, and others. Women are still employed at a slightly lower rate than men, and so could be driving to work less. Men also exhibit risky driving behaviors that could result in license suspension, limiting annual mileage.

• 

  Recreational driving

  If you’re driving to anything other than work or school regularly, those miles add up. Your choice or ability to drive to social events or go on road trips can majorly affect your annual mileage.

How miles driven per year affect insurance rates

Insurance companies consider your mileage when setting insurance rates.

If you drive frequently or far, you have a higher risk of filing a claim and may have higher insurance rates. It’s nothing personal — it’s just that being on the road more means there’s a higher likelihood of a fender bender or crash, according to Triple-I. That’s why, during the quoting process, you may have to provide estimated mileage amounts and how you typically use your car.

Mileage doesn’t have a huge effect on your rates, though. Drivers pay about $3–$5 more per month for every additional 2,000–3,000 miles they drive, according to Insurify’s database.

For example, take a 35-year-old woman living in a suburban setting. According to Insurify data, if she drives 8,000 miles per year, her monthly rates are $208 for full-coverage car insurance and $103 for liability-only insurance. If she drives 20,000 miles per year, her monthly rates are $224 for full coverage and $111 for liability only.

What insurance companies consider ‘low mileage’

Insurers typically give the most discounts to drivers logging less than 7,000 miles per year, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Your insurer may also consider “low mileage” to be anything under the average annual mileage in your area.

Driving 15,000 miles or more per year is generally considered high mileage, according to Experian, but check with your insurer to see how your mileage could affect your rates.

How to save on car insurance with low mileage

If you don’t drive much, many insurers will offset your insurance costs with low-mileage discounts or programs. These are a few options to check out if you’re a low-mileage driver and want to unlock cheaper car insurance rates:

• Pay-per-mile insurance: With this kind of policy, you pay a daily or monthly base rate and a per-mile rate that adds up to your monthly premium. Your insurer may track your mileage through a mobile app or installed device. If you don’t drive much or very far, this could save you from the higher rates of a traditional policy.

• Low-mileage discount: This is typically a percentage off your premium for a traditional policy. Check with your insurer to confirm what annual mileage qualifies you for this discount.

• Telematics: This refers to any policy with rates based on the information your insurer obtains from your vehicle or device about your driving habits. It may only involve your mileage, like in a pay-per-mile policy, or it could also track your driving behaviors, like braking and speeding. It’s a more general term and is also called usage-based insurance.

• Pay-as-you-go car insurance: This is another general category that includes something like a pay-per-mile policy, as well as short-term coverage options from insurers like Hugo.

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How miles driven per year affect maintenance costs

Annual mileage can affect vehicle maintenance costs, though how much will depend on your car’s age, make, and model. For a range of vehicles over five years and 75,000 miles, AAA calculated that maintenance, repair, and tire costs add up to 9.83 cents per mile in 2023.^[6] This works out to $1,474.50 per year for five years.

Based on an analysis of its services, YourMechanic estimated total maintenance costs for each increment of 25,000 miles. A car costs an estimated $1,400 to maintain for the first 25,000 miles, increasing to $3,900 for 75,000–100,000 miles and capping at $5,000 for 175,000–200,000 miles. Inflation and regional factors affect repair costs, so your location may affect what you pay for vehicle maintenance.

YourMechanic analyzed 29 car makes and estimated costs for the first 75,000 miles and the first 150,000 miles. For example, maintenance for a Hyundai costs $4,000 for the first 75,000 miles and $15,000 total for the first 150,000 miles, according to the YourMechanic analysis.

Vehicles cost money to maintain, and parts of your car wear out after a certain number of miles. Still, costs will vary since slightly older cars are often cheaper to repair, and regular general maintenance can keep cars running well for longer.

On the other hand, driving fewer miles and maintaining a lower mileage doesn’t necessarily extend your car’s life, according to fuel refiner Cenex. Cars “like” to be driven, and parts can become brittle and break without regular use. Driving your car regularly — even short distances — will help keep it working longer.

How mileage affects vehicle purchase cost

If Americans drove an average of 13,930 miles per year over the last decade, the average mileage on a 10-year-old car could reasonably be more than 130,000 miles, and anything below that could be considered low mileage. Mileage may affect the cost of a used car — since it can indicate age and possible wear and tear — but a well-maintained vehicle with 100,000 miles on it could be a better choice than a poorly maintained car with less mileage.

The average age of cars on the road today is 12.5 years old, according to KBB, and the average mileage of used cars sold was about 69,000. The average listing price of a used car is $25,172, according to Cox Automotive, but other factors, like available inventory and inflation, can also affect prices.

Mileage isn’t the only factor to consider when you’re deciding what you should pay — the car’s condition is most important. KBB recommends researching the car model, checking for any recalls, asking the dealership for a report on the car’s history, and even scheduling an inspection.

Average miles driven per year FAQs