What are the average miles driven per year in the US?

Did you know auto insurance companies consider the average mileage per year when you get a quote? The average number of miles driven per year varies for each driver, but driving more than average can increase your monthly car insurance rates.

So how many miles does the average person drive a year? And how can you save money based on annual mileage? Don’t worry – we’re here to help. Our guide explains the average miles driven in a year, why commute mileage affects auto insurance coverage rates, and which companies provide the most affordable rates determined by annual mileage.

Continue reading to learn all about the average miles driven per year. If you’re ready to compare multiple quotes from the best companies in your area, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool above.

What are the average miles driven per year in the US?

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Americans drive 14,263 miles a year, on average. The average car mileage per year is different for each state. To figure out the average number of miles driven daily, you can divide the average mileage per year by 365. Therefore, the national average number of miles driven per day is 39 miles.

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What is the average annual mileage for each state?

We researched American driving stats from the FHWA and put the results in a table for you. Let’s examine the average mileage for each state in the nation. Use the search box in the top right to locate your state faster.

Average Miles Driven by State

These averages aren’t the same for every driver, but they’re numbers that car insurance companies use to determine rates.

Where do Americans drive the most?

Some states had higher than average annual mileage in 2021. Here’s a list of the top five states where Americans drive the most:

1. Wyoming – 24,069 miles
2. Mississippi – 19,966 miles
3. New Mexico – 19,157 miles
4. Missouri – 18,521 miles
5. Georgia – 18,334 miles

Wyoming, Mississippi, New Mexico, Georgia, and Missouri had the highest annual mileage. Despite the higher than average miles per year, each of these states has insurance companies with affordable auto insurance rates.

Where do Americans drive the least?

States that don’t require a lot of travel by car have lower annual mileage. But which states are they? Let’s examine the top five states where Americans drive the least.

1. District of Columbia – 7,013 miles
2. Rhode Island – 9,961 miles
3. New York – 10,167 miles
4. Washington – 10,949 miles
5. Alaska – 11,111 miles

The District of Columbia isn’t a state, but it’s a small city where car commuting isn’t as extensive as other urban areas in America. Meanwhile, Alaska and Washington demand more travel at specific times during the year.

Rhode Island is small, so commuting by car isn’t always necessary, and New York’s most populated urban areas use public transportation and ridesharing more than private cars.

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What is the average mileage for a vehicle?

The average mileage for a car is challenging to pinpoint because each vehicle varies. Instead of using a miles per year calculator, we’ll give you an example of how you can figure out the average miles per year on a car.

For example, if the average annual mileage is 14,263 and you want a car that’s three years old, the mileage on the odometer could be three times the average (42,789 miles).

This is just an estimate of an odometer reading, so you’ll have to check your vehicle if you want to get an accurate reading.

How does annual mileage affect auto insurance rates?

Annual mileage is also called commute mileage. Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, but commute mileage represents the estimated miles you’re expected to travel during the policy. Car insurance companies calculate commute mileage by the miles you drive to work and back home. It doesn’t have to be an exact mileage.

Let’s look at an example of how the best auto insurance companies determine rates based on commute mileage:

Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Commute Miles

USAA car insurance is the cheapest in the United States, but USAA is only for veterans and their immediate families (spouse, domestic partner, or children). Geico, State Farm, and American Family are other highly-ranked companies you may want to shop with if you want to save money. Your rates from company to company may vary.

Read more: Travelers Car Insurance Guide [Data + Expert Review]

Does my age impact auto insurance quotes?

Yes, it does. Insurance companies use age to determine the driver’s experience and risk. Younger drivers tend to take more risks on the road.

More risks lead to higher chances of filing car insurance claims. Auto insurance companies balance young driver risk with more expensive rates. But car insurance companies also consider how much younger drivers commute.

The latest FHWA data showed that more than half of young drivers in the United States are male. Licensed young female drivers are also statistically shown to take fewer risks than young male drivers.

Here’s a breakdown of how age affects monthly car insurance rates:

Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Age and Gender

Auto insurance quotes generate cheaper rates when you’re 24 and older. Senior drivers pay the least for insurance rates. New adult drivers, however, may pay more than average. If you drive your vehicle less, you can get more affordable rates.

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What discounts can help me save money on auto insurance?

Use auto insurance discounts to lower expensive rates. Driving less can get you a low-mileage deal, and combining your low miles with a clean driving record can save you up to 30% off your overall bill. Drivers with the latest model year vehicles can get an additional 15% off for safety features and anti-theft features.

Does average mileage affect environmental costs?

Yes, it does. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average vehicle produces 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This ultimately impacts climate change in the environment.

Determining the environmental cost of cars is challenging, but we discovered that the EPA spent $9.2 billion in 2021. The environmental cost of car ownership in the U.S. shifts each year, but we know 1.6 billion tons of greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere each year.

During America’s 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, commuting was cut by 60%. This also created a period in which the atmosphere was much cleaner for a few months.

Average Miles Driven Per Year: The Bottom Line

The average annual miles vary from state to state. Auto insurance companies use the average mileage of your state to gauge risk.

Drivers who commute more than average pay more for car insurance, but you can get more affordable auto insurance rates if you drive less. Be sure to stack any discounts you may be eligible for, and don’t forget to shop around to find the best rate.

Now that you know more about the average miles driven per year, use our free comparison tool below to compare multiple insurance companies near you.

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