Average Miles Driven Per Year by State: Why You Should Care

Learn why how much you drive each year matters and how it can impact your insurance rates

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Written by Trusted Choice

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Reviewer: Jeffrey Green Reviewed by Jeffrey Green
Reviewer: Jeffrey Green
Reviewed by Jeffrey Green

Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career.  He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.

Updated
Happy family ride in the car. Average Miles Driven Per Year by State.

How many miles do Americans drive each year? According to the Federal Highway Administration, US drivers average 14,263 miles annually. That’s nearly 1,200 miles per month – the equivalent of driving from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City. (Now, THAT’S a commute.)

Your annual mileage rate can have an effect on what you pay for insurance, because the more you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident or have your car damaged. We’ll look at mileage statistics by state, age group, and gender, and tell you how you might be able to get a discount based on the average number of miles you drive.

Average Miles Driven by State

Are you curious about the average number of miles driven in each state?

While California has the most total miles per year at 340 billion, Wyoming has the highest per capita mileage at 24,000 each year.

Here’s the breakdown by state:

State Average Annual Mileage
Alabama 17,817
Alaska 11,111
Arizona 13,090
Arkansas 17,224
California 12,524
Colorado 12,899
Connecticut 12,117
Delaware 12,609
District of Columbia 7,013
Florida 14,557
Georgia 18,334
Hawaii 11,688
Idaho 14,417
Illinois 12,581
Indiana 18,024
Iowa 14,745
Kansas 14,781
Kentucky 16,305
Louisiana 14,951
Maine 14,215
Maryland 13,490
Massachusetts 13,109
Michigan 14,307
Minnesota 17,909
Mississippi 19,966
Missouri 18,521
Montana 15,880
Nebraska 14,836
Nevada 14,016
New Hampshire 11,570
New Jersey 12,263
New Mexico 19,157
New York 10,167
North Carolina 16,073
North Dakota 17,671
Ohio 14,278
Oklahoma 17,699
Oregon 12,218
Pennsylvania 11,445
Rhode Island 9,961
South Carolina 14,941
South Dakota 15,541
Tennessee 15,287
Texas 16,172
Utah 15,516
Vermont 13,004
Virginia 14,509
Washington 10,949
West Virginia 16,876
Wisconsin 15,442
Wyoming 24,069

Annual mileage is just one factor that can affect what you pay for insurance. Insurance companies also consider where you live, what type of roads you travel, and the local climate.

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Highest and Lowest Average Miles Driven by State

Annual mileage can vary widely by state. So, what are the states with the most and fewest miles driven? And what are some of the factors that impact mileage per state?

Highest Average Miles Driven by State

The states where people drive the most miles are typically more rural. Even though some of these states have larger, metropolitan cities tucked inside them (such as Atlanta, GA or Indianapolis, IN), these are just concentrated areas plunked down in the midst of more rural terrain.

For the most part, these states are not densely populated and have less of a need for large public transportation systems. As a result, driving is the main way to travel in these portions of the country.

States with the Highest Average Miles

State Average Miles Per Year
Wyoming 24,069
Mississippi 19,966
New Mexico 19,157
Missouri 18,521
Georgia 18,334
Indiana 18,024
Minnesota 17,909
Alabama 17,817
Oklahoma 17,699
North Dakota 17,671

Lowest Average Miles Driven by State

On the other hand, most of the states with the least number of miles driven are home to more urban areas or have robust public transportation systems. Because public transportation is often more affordable and convenient than driving, the average number of miles driven in these areas is typically lower.

States with the Lowest Average Miles

State Average Miles Per Year
District of Columbia 7,013
Rhode Island 9,961
New Mexico 19,157
Washington 10,949
Alaska 11,111
Pennsylvania 11,445
New Hampshire 11,570
Hawaii 11,688
Connecticut 12,117
Oregon 12,218

Average Miles Based on Age Groups

How do demographics affect driving habits? Let’s look at age first. Across all age groups, men drive more than women, and drivers aged 16-19 drive about the same number of miles as drivers over 65. The highest concentration of drivers are those between the ages of 20 and 54 – individuals in their prime working years, as well as those with families commuting to school and after-school activities.

Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group

Age Total
16-19 7,624
20-34 15,098
35-54 15,291
55-64 11,972
65+ 7,646
Average 13,476

Average Miles Based on Gender

According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, men drive an annual average of 6,000 more miles than women. Broken down even further in terms of men vs. women by age group, men spanning the gamut from teenagers to those in their golden years consistently drove more than their female counterparts.

Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group

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 16,550 10,142
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Why Mileage Matters When it Comes to Insurance

Insurance companies use several factors to calculate risk, one of which is mileage.

Spending more time on the road can mean a higher level of risk because you increase your chances of getting into an accident or breaking down.

If you drive fewer than 7,000 miles per year – what insurance companies consider “low mileage” – you may qualify for a discount on your auto insurance.

Recent innovations have allowed for more accurate measurement of mileage.  Some insurers track vehicle miles electronically, either with a telematics device installed in the vehicle or through a mobile app installed on your smartphone.

Low Average Miles and Additional Insurance Savings

Of course, annual mileage isn’t the only factor that’s used to determine your risk level. Other factors include your age, the make and model of your car, and your driving record. There are many ways you can save on auto insurance, including bundling and other discounts based on your driving habits.

An independent insurance agent can provide a personalized quote that takes all these variables into account.

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https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/average-miles-driven-per-year/#average-miles-driven-per-year-by-state

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htm

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2019/

https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/average-miles-driven-per-year/