Average Miles Driven Per Year

Company Trusted For Over 25+ Years*

Almost no one knows the average number of miles they drive per year. You should review all relevant data in order to estimate the figure. The less miles driven equate to lower auto insurance premiums. In the United States, according to the Department of Transportation, the average amount is roughly 13,476 miles driven per year. This means that each driver would travel about 1,100 miles every month as a minimum. That is the equivalent of driving twice a year from Los Angeles to New York, back and forth. Americans do love their vehicles.

Analyzing Driving Behavior

A lot of information is needed to fully comprehend the real driving behaviors all over the country. For example, we should take into account who is behind the wheel and where they drive most of the time. The United States Department of Transportation considers many of the trends described below:

People from almost every state drive more miles every year than in decades past. From 2011 to 2014, about 70 percent of the states have experienced a rise in miles driven. Frequently, women drive less than men. In the U.S., women accumulate about 10,142 driven miles on average in a year, while men have an average of 16,550 miles driven per year. The total number of teenagers who get their licenses has decreased in the past several years. From the 1980s to the present, the number of 16-year-old drivers with a license has dropped by 24 percent.

Nowadays, senior-aged people are driving longer. Drivers over 65 years old drive more miles in their cars than in previous years, and they keep their licenses valid longer. The number of drivers over 85 is also increasing. This trend may continue in the future as people live longer lives.
Average Miles Driven Per Year

Drivers Today Spend More Time in Their Vehicles than Ever Before

Between 2011 and 2014, almost every state in the U.S. has experienced an increase in miles traveled per person. This information was provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The miles driven per capita are the result of dividing each state’s total population by the total number of miles driven in a year.

The average in the country was about 9455 miles in 2001. However, significant growth was seen in the following years. In 2014, the average jumped to 9,772 miles. This increase in miles driven per person has not spread to all states equally. There are some states where the increase has been significant, while others have only seen small growth.

The Miles Driven per Month Affect Insurance Rates

Your insurance premiums could be closely related to the number of miles you drive per year. Maybe you are a driver who stays on the road for quite some time, racking up a lot of miles. If that’s so, insurance providers may consider you have a higher risk of getting into an accident.

Therefore, you have a greater chance of filing a claim. On top of that, the average miles traveled in your state would have an impact on your car insurance premiums. If you want to estimate your car insurance rates, you can enter your personal information in the quote form we have provided. You can compare quotes in about 10 minutes.

Below you’ll find some data provided by the FHWA on some of the main miles traveled per capita by state in 2011 and 2014:




16,272 mpc

16,410 mpc


13,516 mpc

12,713 mpc


11,049 mpc

11,554 mpc


11,000 mpc

11,582 mpc

North Carolina

10,746 mpc

11,120 mpc

Average Miles Traveled Per Year By Age Group

The number of miles traveled per person can be divided into different age groups. These groups provide relevant details about the driving behaviors of motorists, from teenagers to senior drivers:

  • Between 16 and 19 years of age: 7,624 miles on average per year
    Between 20 and 34 years of age: 15,098 miles on average per year
    Between 35 and 45 years of age: 15,291 miles on average per year
    Between 55 and 64 years of age: 11,972 miles on average per year
    Over 65 years of age: 7,646 miles on average per year

Middle-age people drive the most of any age group. Nevertheless, here goes an interesting fact that is based on data provided by the United States Energy and Information Agency. Miles traveled by senior motorists have grown every year since the ’90s. This trend is expected to continue increasing even after 2040. In addition to this, the fastest-growing group is that of drivers over 85 years old.






























FHWA Information:

The number of drivers over 50 was more than 93 million in 2013.

Drivers over 85 remain the fastest-growing group of all age groups across the country. In 1998 the number of drivers older than 85 was about 1.76 million. In early 2013 this number reached 3.48 million.

In 2014, 26 percent of all drivers in the United States were over 60 years old. This figure represents a growth of 20 percent over a ten-year span.

It is worth mentioning that each day fewer teenagers are getting their drivers’ license. The number of teen drivers with licenses has reached its lowest point in many decades. In 2014, there were only one million 16-year-old drivers out of all the licensed drivers who were driving on public roads at that time.

Some Other Important Points to Consider

According to some gathered information, other important facts should be taken into consideration in this matter. To begin, the total number of miles driven by teen drivers has drastically fallen due to several causes. The decreasing number of teen drivers who get their licenses is the first reason why.

The second one is that licensed teenagers travel fewer miles every day. Drivers between 16 and 19 years old drove about 8,485 miles, as average per year, in 1990. Nineteen years later, in 2009, the same age group averaged only 6,244 miles driven in a year.

How to Calculate The Miles You Drive each Year

You may not know how many miles you drive every year. Well, there is an easy way to find the answer and get a number to be used as an estimate for years to come. You should first keep a record (in miles) of your regular travels during a week. When you calculate this number, you should multiply it by 52 (weeks in a year).

You can use the result as the average total miles you drive per year. Once you have this number, you can find out if you are eligible for low mileage discounts on your auto insurance policy. If part of your miles were used for moving, charitable purposes, business ventures, or medical reasons, then you will be able to deduct this mileage from your taxes.

How To Get Could Get Low-Mileage Discounts On Your Auto Insurance Policy?

You could be eligible for low-mileage discounts on your auto insurance that could save you 15% or more. This will depend on your insurer, because the criteria for discounts can vary widely, from one insurance provider to another. Low-mileage discounts could earn you savings of 5 to 15 percent of your insurance premium.

Each company can set a different limit for the minimum number of miles that qualifies as low-mileage for them. Some providers might offer low-mileage discounts for people who drive less than 12,000 miles per year. Some other providers might consider 10,000 miles per year and under, as a low-mileage worth a discount.

It is important to remember that almost every low-mileage discount is offered on liability and collision coverage only. This implies that your discount won’t be deducted from your total premium. Besides, insurance providers do not usually have a section in their bill showing the low-mileage discount. If you want to know if you are eligible for this type of discount or if you are already receiving it, you should get in contact with your agent or fill out a free online quote.

If you qualify for a low mileage discount, you should expect to save about 5% or more off your premium. Read below if you want to know how much you would save if you live in the following states:

  • California- 22 %
    Massachusetts- 6%
    Wisconsin- 4 %
    Pennsylvania- 3 %


Before receiving the benefits of a low-mileage discount, several providers will need you to provide proof of your mileage. Such documentation could be presented using different methods. This includes providing emissions records, a photo attached to an official document, or service records.

Perhaps you are a driver who hardly ever drives your vehicle. You might have an old car that is stored away in your garage for example. If that’s the case, you can save good money when getting insurance. Getting a “pay-as-you-drive” policy could be a perfect choice. There are some companies, like Progressive, that will provide a small device that’s connected to your car.

It will maintain records of your odometer reader and your regular driving behaviors. Your provider will base your discount calculations on this information. Installing this device can lead you to a significant discount, up to 40 percent of your total premium.

Average Cost Per Mile Driven

A lot of people ignore all the costs associated with driving. There is an estimated cost of about 30 cents, or more, per mile driven. This influences your car insurance, gasoline, depreciation, and several other aspects.

Driving Behaviors: The Ups And Downs

The number of miles Americans drive per capita every year has increased over the last 60 years and more. These figures reached a peak of 10,120 per person in 2004. From that moment on, the number has been gradually decreasing in virtually all states of the country. The silver lining of this decline is that the number of accidents has also decreased.

According to information provided by the United States

Transportation Department, there was a giant reduction in traffic casualties. The number of deceased drivers in car accidents was between 42000 and 45000 from 1968 to 2008. By the end of 2008, when the statistics were reviewed, there was an enormous drop. That year it closed with 32,000 deaths related to vehicular accidents.

What Are The Reasons Why People are Driving More?

There is no single cause for which this trend can be pointed to. It’s not known why more and more people drive extra miles every year. There are some assumptions about why this keeps happening. According to experts’ opinions, lower gas prices and improved economy are some of the probable reasons for more miles driven per year. Data provided by AAA says that this year, American drivers have saved more than $18 billion in gas. Low gas prices mean people drive more. It’s as simple as that.

In the case of people who drive when it is not necessary, reasonably priced gas is a big incentive. Frequently, drivers give up road trips and long-distance trips when the cost of gas is too high. People are highly motivated to go outside and drive if gas prices drop significantly. A recent survey conducted by AAA reveals that 55 percent of drivers will decide on take a road trip if they consider the cost of gas is affordable.

There are some other reasons to keep in mind even when the cost of gas is at the top of the list for people to decide to go out and drive more. The number of car casualties is increasing faster than the miles traveled per year. This is equivalent to a growth of almost 10 percent of deaths caused by car accidents.

Very young and inexperienced drivers who take to the roads might be at fault. New drivers get involved in traffic accidents many times more than experienced drivers all over the country. Even when the process of getting the driver’s license was delayed some years, stats show that young drivers do not feel so inclined to get their license during their late “teens” and early twenties.

Higher Car Insurance Rates Is A Consequence

The more abundant the traffic, the higher the occurrence of automobile accidents. Consequently, this situation leads to a higher possibility of vehicular casualties. On top of it, this also involves a perfect chance that car insurance premiums are also more expensive.

What goes into Calculating Auto Insurance Premiums?

There are a lot of aspects insurance providers take into consideration when calculating car insurance premiums. Geographical loss data, zip codes, driving history, and age group could be some of them. There are certain places where a large number of car accidents occur. Usually, your auto insurance rates would be more expensive if you live in urban areas.

The number of accidents in your zip code area could influence your premium, even when you have a spotless driving record. You should not forget that car insurance rates for the same type of coverage and geographical area could extensively vary from one insurance company to another. This is why it’s so important to get several quotes.

Different car insurance providers have different ways to determine their clients’ premiums. You should take your time to study and compare several insurers if you are looking for low cost car insurance. Careful research could lead to significant savings when you finally purchase your policy. You should check if you are eligible for a low mileage discount. Additionally, you could also use online tools to calculate car insurance rates and estimate how much you could pay for car insurance in your area of residence.

Mileage Parameters you Should Know About

Mileage parameters are generally treated in terms of your vehicle as a whole. Nevertheless, it is essential to evaluate the mileage of the different components of your car. The parts will weaken much faster than the complete vehicle. Keeping these parts in good condition will give you security behind the wheel.

It is always a good idea to take your car to get regular inspections. You should ask your mechanic to examine your vehicle thoroughly. It is also recommended to change the tires once you have driven 50000 miles.

Another significant part of your car that you must have in optimal conditions is the brakes. Concerning mileage, the lifespan of breaks could vary extensively. Almost everyone replaces their brakes after they have traveled 40000 miles. Still, brakes should be checked every time you take your car in to be inspected.

Also, another critical part of your vehicle that you should always keep in mind is car batteries. It is advisable to change your battery after five years of use. Ending up in the gutter because of a dead battery is something nobody wants. You could ask your mechanic to test your batteries’ power next time you get it serviced.

Finally, another essential element of your car is the clutch. You should probably replace it two or three times during the lifespan of your vehicle, but the clutch’s lifespan widely varies. It depends on several elements, such as car usage and the kind of clutch you have installed in your car. Nowadays, almost all clutches should be replaced after about 60,000 miles.

You can ask your mechanic for information on the mileage limits of the different components of your vehicle. Nevertheless, you could easily do your own study for deeper knowledge. It will be smart for your mechanic that you replace as many items as possible. Therefore, you should know exactly which components really need to be replaced.

Pay Attention To Mileage To Get Cheaper Car Insurance Rates

– Mileage is a crucial element when it comes to getting the cheapest and best possible car insurance rates. However, it’s critical to consider all the other complications that could arise associated with high mileage driving. You should check the annual average mileage of a new vehicle if you are thinking about buying it. This could give you a precise idea if the car has been overused. Car experts advise as a basic rule not to consider a vehicle with more than 12,000 average miles driven per year.

Since a lot of people frequently drive more than this number of miles every year, trying to find a vehicle with lower miles is the wiser choice. Many drivers decide to buy the car of the year, and this is not always a good option. The fact than one car is newer than another is not exactly synonymous with being the most appropriate purchase.

You should also check the car insurance on any vehicle you are considering buying before the purchase is made. If you have bought a vehicle that has been driven a lot in a short period, it is very likely there will be issues and substantial repairs in your near future. A good idea could be to inspect this kind of car before buying it carefully.

On the other hand, you should keep in mind how your driving habits could affect the future value of your car. If you want your vehicle to maintain good resale value, it is essential to keep a record of your average mileage per year. Typically, drivers are aware of what a standard mileage is. You may sell your vehicle to a dealership after buying a new car. If that’s so, the buyer would carefully analyze the miles driven on your automobile before a purchase is made.

Driving For Uber and Mileage Related Costs

Maybe you are thinking of driving for Uber or another type of driving service and maybe you are already doing it. Then, it is vital to know how this would affect the value of your car. Driving for Uber might seem like the perfect deal because you could drive, regardless of time and place, and still make some money. For lots of people, this is a full-time job. With Uber, you could earn quick cash, but you should first analyze the real costs associated with driving for a ride-sharing service, like depreciation, gas, and repairs.

For almost all people, the cost of car insurance, gas and their own time are the key factors to consider. Nevertheless, the main aspect could go unnoticed. That, of course, is depreciation. Each mile counted by your odometer brings with it a small depreciation. So, those Uber and also taxi drivers, with their large amount of miles traveled, accumulate large amounts of depreciation in a short period of time.

The average depreciation per mile on a vehicle is usually about eight cents. That adds up quickly for full-time drivers. Imagine you are driving an Uber, and your average annual mileage is 50000. In this case, you would accumulate a yearly depreciation of about $4000. A $30,000 vehicle could, in this instance, depreciate $12,000 in only three years.

Driving for Uber could still translate into good money for you. Still, you should keep in mind that an essential part of your mileage will come when you are not moving people. That’s because when you drive around waiting for fares could raise the costs concerning gas, depreciation, and your own time.

You could find tools and other resources on the Internet that would help you introduce mileage depreciation into your Uber expenses. This way, you could have a more accurate idea of your future income if you drive for Uber or a similar service.

Mileage Is a Key Factor in Lowering Auto Insurance Rates

As you have read above, mileage is one of the main aspects that impact the value of a vehicle. Keeping an eye (preferably two) on your average mileage when driving your car is an intelligent choice. The miles driven could determine the value of your vehicle if you decide to sell it in the future.

Together with this, it is also important to examine the mileage on any vehicle you are considering buying. Your average miles could be a crucial part of savings when it comes to your car insurance premiums. If you want to maximize savings, keeping a low mileage is an excellent place to start.

Finally, if you want more information or assistance on car insurance or any other vehicle-related topic, please visit our website and explore our exceptional content. We feel proud to be one of the top car insurance resources on the Internet. Also, get a quick online quote and see if you can lower your auto insurance rates today.