How Many Miles Does the Average Person Drive?
The average American drives around 13,500 miles per year.
America is a big country, and driving times vary widely across the country. Someone living in suburban Dallas, for example, might drive significantly more miles per year than someone living in downtown San Francisco.
How many miles does the average person drive? What’s the average annual mileage in the United States? Let’s find out.
The Average American Drives Approximately 13,500 Miles Per Year
Nationwide, the average driver in the United States drives approximately 13,500 miles per year, according to an estimate from the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.
That number has increased in recent years. In fact, it’s the highest number in American history.
As with other average numbers, mileage varies widely depending on your personal situation. Some drivers drive significantly more than 13,500 miles per year. Others drive significantly less.
Age and gender matter. Men drive more than women across all age groups, for example. In fact, the average man drives 16,500 miles per year, while the average woman drives just 10,100 miles per year, according to the same data linked above.
How Gender and Age Influence Mileage
Gender and age play a huge role in average annual mileage. Across all ages, men drive more than women.
In fact, men in certain age groups drive twice as much as women in the same age group.
Age matters for annual mileage. Men and women of prime working age (20 to 64) have significantly higher annual mileage than teenagers and older adults.
Here are some of the average annual mileage states revealed in the Department of Transportation study:
- Men and women between ages 35 and 54 drive more miles per year than any other age group, spending approximately 15,300 miles per year on the road.
- Men over 55 drive twice as many miles per year as women of the same age group. Average annual mileage for males in the 55 to 64 demographic was 15,900 per year, while women in that age group drove just 7,800 miles per year, on average.
- Teenage males drive 8,200 miles per year, on average, while teenage females drive 6,900 miles per year.
Across all age groups, men drive roughly 16,600 miles per year, while women drive 10,140 miles per year, which works out to an average of around 13,500 miles per year.
Why is Average Mileage Important?
Average annual mileage is important. It’s more than just a quirky stat.
Average annual mileage can influence the rate you pay for car insurance. People with extremely high mileage or low mileage have different insurance needs.
Insurance is about risk. The more miles you spend on the road, the more likely you are to experience an accident. Higher mileage is also associated with more driving experience, which also influences risk.
Some of the reasons average annual mileage is important include:
Save Money with Low Mileage Car Insurance: Many insurers, including Nationwide, offer low mileage car insurance to drivers with extremely low annual mileage. If you drive fewer than, say, 7,500 miles per year, then you could qualify for a low mileage car insurance policy. You could save hundreds per year on car insurance. Many qualify for low mileage car insurance because they work from home, bike to work, or rarely go on road trips.
Wear and Tear On a Used Car: How many miles should a used car have? Average annual mileage can give you an estimate. You might be impressed by the cheap price on a 2019 car, for example, until you realize it already has 60,000 miles on it. Or, a ten-year old car might seem like a rip-off, until you realize it only has 80,000 miles on it.
Final Word
On average, Americans drive 13,500 miles per year. That number continues to increase every year.
Mileage varies widely across demographics and locations. Insurers use this data to calculate risk. Some drivers qualify for low mileage car insurance because of their driving habits. Others need to pay more.
Compare car insurance quotes online today to ensure you’re getting the best deal on car insurance based on your unique mileage.