Every year, Americans travel vast distances behind the wheel. But how many miles, on average, does a typical driver cover?
In this article, you’ll discover the latest national averages, how driving habits vary by age, gender, and region, and why these numbers matter—especially for insurance, car value, and planning. You’ll learn how your driving compares, how to estimate your own annual mileage, and what trends are shaping driving behavior in the U.S. in this article.
National Average: How Many Miles Does the Typical Driver Cover?
Recent data from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and other sources converge around a range: the average driver in America logs between 13,400 and 14,500 miles per year.
Some studies cite 13,662 miles as the most current estimate. Others point to 14,263 miles, which had been a peak average in pre-pandemic years.
These figures shift based on methodology—whether mileage is based on self-reported household travel surveys or aggregated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) divided across drivers—so the precise number will vary. But one takeaway is clear: most full-time drivers fall into this ballpark.
Why This Metric Matters
Understanding average miles driven per year is more than trivia:
- Insurance premiums often depend on mileage. The more you drive, the more exposure to risk, which can raise your rates.
- Car depreciation is heavily tied to mileage. High-mileage vehicles depreciate faster.
- Lease agreements frequently cap annual miles (e.g., 10,000 or 12,000 miles), and exceeding that leads to penalties.
- Fuel and maintenance planning depend on knowing how many miles you drive annually.
- Public policy and infrastructure planning use aggregated driving data to forecast road wear, congestion, and revenue models (like gas tax or vehicle-miles-traveled taxes).
Variations by Age, Gender, and State
The national average masks substantial variation when you break down the data.
By Age Group
Younger drivers (ages 16–19) and older drivers (65+) tend to drive significantly fewer miles—often 7,000 to 8,000 miles a year. In contrast, working-age adults (20–54), who often commute or travel frequently, drive much more—typically in the 15,000+ mile range.
By Gender
Men drive more miles than women on average. For example, in a dataset comparing averages, males posted roughly 16,550 miles annually versus 10,142 miles for females. The gap narrows in older age groups but remains notable in prime working years.
By State and Region
Rural states tend to see higher average miles per driver. For instance, Wyoming drivers frequently exceed 21,000 miles per year. In contrast, urbanized places with robust public transit—such as New York or the District of Columbia—often report averages under 10,000 miles.
State drivers’ averages vary widely. Some states exceed the national average by thousands of miles; others fall far below it.
Trends Over Time and Impact of COVID
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, average annual mileage was climbing steadily. Then 2020 saw a sharp drop in travel as many Americans worked from home and fewer road trips occurred. Some recovery occurred in 2021 and 2022, with estimates landing in the 13,000–14,000 mile range again.
More recently, total vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. set new records. In 2024, drivers logged over 3.28 trillion miles nationwide, representing a slight increase over previous years and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This overall rise suggests that driving patterns continue to rebound.
How to Estimate Your Personal Annual Mileage
You don’t need to guess—here’s a simple method:
- Record your current odometer reading.
- Subtract from it the reading you had 12 months ago.
- The difference gives your actual annual miles driven.
If you don’t have that data, you can approximate:
- Daily commute distance × workdays per year, plus
- Average weekend or errand driving, plus
- Occasional trips or vacations.
If your result is over 15,000 miles, you’re above average; under 10,000 miles is considered relatively low usage by many insurers.
How Mileage Impacts Insurance, Resale, Lease, and Maintenance
Insurance: Many insurers offer lower premiums or discounts if you drive less than a threshold (often 10,000 miles/year). High-mileage drivers face higher risk of accidents, wear, and claims, so rates often rise.
Resale Value: Mileage is one of the strongest predictors of depreciation. A car with high annual miles will command a lower resale price all else equal.
Leasing: Leases often include mileage caps. Exceeding the cap—say, driving 15,000 miles on a 12,000-mile allowance—can incur heavy per-mile penalties.
Maintenance & Repairs: More miles mean more wear on tires, brakes, fluids, belts, and components. High-mile drivers should budget more for upkeep.
What’s Considered Low or High Mileage?
Insurers and industry practice generally consider:
- Low mileage: under ~10,000 miles/year
- Average mileage: ~13,000–15,000 miles/year
- High mileage: over 15,000–20,000+ miles/year
“High mileage” isn’t inherently bad, but it raises costs and accelerates wear.
Practical Tips to Reduce Annual Mileage
If you’d like to keep your mileage—and costs—lower, here are suggestions:
- Combine errands into a single trip
- Use public transit or rideshare where possible
- Work remotely part of the week
- Carpool or share rides
- Choose closer destinations for routine trips
- Walk or bike for short errands
Each avoided trip chips away at your total.
Your Driving in Context
If you drive 12,000 miles/year, you’re slightly below average. If you drive 18,000 miles/year, you’re well above. If you fall far below or above the national range, that relative difference will directly affect your insurance ratings, maintenance burden, and resale value.
Future Outlook and Mobility Shifts
Several trends may influence future average miles driven:
- Remote and hybrid work may simmer down daily commuting.
- Electrification of vehicles, with lower operating cost per mile, might encourage more driving in some sectors.
- Mileage-based user fees (VMT taxes) are gaining discussion as gas tax revenues decline with more fuel-efficient or electric cars.
- Urban design shifts (e.g. 15-minute city planning) could reduce need for long trips.
Conclusion
On average, U.S. drivers cover somewhere between 13,400 and 14,500 miles per year. But averages don’t tell the full story. Your age, job, residence, gender, and lifestyle all influence your personal figure.
That annual figure directly affects your insurance costs, vehicle value, lease limits, and maintenance budget. Knowing where you fall relative to national averages gives you leverage when negotiating insurance, planning expenses, or deciding whether to reduce your driving.
Whether you drive 8,000 miles or 20,000, being aware helps you manage costs and risks. Use the steps above to find your real number—and put yourself in control of your car usage.