Average Miles Driven Per Year
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Almost no one knows the average miles driven per year, but it’s something you should keep track of. Not only does it help you with things like remembering when to change your oil, but it can also reduce the amount you pay for car insurance coverage.
The fewer miles driven equate to lower auto insurance premiums. If you drive less than 800 miles per month, then you can save some serious money. Many companies give low mileage discounts between 10% and 15%.
According to the Department of Transportation, the average amount driven per year is about 13,476 miles for drivers in the United States. That’s more than halfway around the world. It means that each driver travels about 1,100 miles every month as a minimum. To give another perspective, it’s the equivalent of driving twice a year from Los Angeles to New York, back and forth. Americans do love their vehicles.
A lot of information is needed to understand the real driving behaviors all over the country. For example, we should consider 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 past decades. 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 total about 10,142 driven miles on average in a year, while men average 16,550 miles driven per year.
One interesting trend is teens and driving. 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 years of age is also increasing. This trend may continue in the future as people live longer and healthier lives.
Between 2011 and 2014, almost every state in the U.S. experienced an increase in miles traveled per person. This information was provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The miles driven per capita results from 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, we saw significant growth 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. In some urban areas like San Francisco, many people have turned to Uber for their transportation needs. They choose this option instead of the hassle of driving in a busy city area, finding parking, and so on.
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 will likely consider you to have a higher risk of getting into an accident. This fact is even more so in big cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, where accidents happen more often.
Therefore, you have a greater chance of filing a claim if you drive a lot and live in a crowded urban area. 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 from top providers in about 5 minutes.
Below you’ll find some interesting data provided by the FHWA on some of the main miles traveled per capita in 2011 and 2014 in specific states:
State |
2011 |
2014 |
Wyoming |
16,272 mpc |
16,410 mpc |
Alabama |
13,516 mpc |
12,713 mpc |
Tennessee |
11,049 mpc |
11,554 mpc |
Kentucky |
11,000 mpc |
11,582 mpc |
North Carolina |
10,746 mpc |
11,120 mpc |
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:
Middle-aged people drive the most of any age group. Nevertheless, here is an interesting fact based on the United States Energy and Information Agency data. 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.
Age |
Male |
Female |
Total |
16-19 |
8,206 |
6,873 |
7,624 |
20-34 |
17,976 |
12,004 |
15,098 |
35-54 |
18,858 |
11,464 |
15,291 |
55-64 |
15,859 |
7,780 |
11,972 |
65+ |
10,304 |
4,785 |
7,646 |
Average |
16,550 |
10,142 |
13,476 |
The number of drivers over 50 totaled 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. This number reached 3.48 million in early 2013.
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 ten years. In short, as the senior population ages, so do older drivers.
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 driving on public roads at that time. That trend is expected to continue.
According to some gathered information, you should consider other essential facts in this matter. First, 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, on average per year, in 1990. Nineteen years later, in 2009, the same age group averaged only 6,244 miles driven in a year.
You may not know how many miles you drive every year. However, there is an easy way to find this answer. You should first keep a record (in miles) of your regular mileage during the week. You should know this number to be used as an estimate for years to come. So, when you calculate this number, you should multiply it by 52 (the number of 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 determine if you are eligible for low mileage discounts on your auto insurance policy. If you used part of your miles for moving, charitable purposes, business ventures, or medical reasons, then you will be able to deduct this mileage from your taxes.
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 cost influences your car insurance, gasoline, depreciation, and several other things.
You could be eligible for low-mileage discounts on your auto insurance policy 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 off your insurance premium.
Each company can set a different limit for the minimum number of miles that qualifies as low-mileage. Some providers might offer low-mileage discounts for people who drive less than 12,000 miles per year. Other providers might consider 10,000 miles per year and under as low-mileage and worth a discount.
It is important to remember that almost every low-mileage discount is offered on liability and collision coverage only. It 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.
Before receiving the benefits of a low-mileage discount, several providers will need you to prove 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 and rarely driven. If that’s the case, you can save good money when getting a new car insurance policy. 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 that will track the miles you drive.
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 off your total premium.
If you want to know if you are eligible for this type of discount or are already receiving it, you should contact 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:
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 the U.S. Transportation Department, there was a massive reduction in traffic casualties. The number of deceased drivers involved in auto accidents was between 42000 and 45000 from 1968 and over the next three decades.
Then things began to change in the 2000s. 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.
There is no single cause for which you can point this trend 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 an improved economy are some of the probable reasons for more miles driven per year. Data provided by AAA says that American drivers have saved more than $18 billion in gas this year. Low gas prices mean people drive more. It’s as simple as that.
For people who drive when it is not necessary, reasonably priced gas is a big incentive. Frequently, drivers give up road trips and long-distance vacations 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 to 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.
The more congested the traffic, the higher the occurrence of automobile accidents. Consequently, this situation leads to a higher possibility of vehicular casualties. On top of that, car insurance premiums are also more expensive for people who live in the city. Not only are there more automobile accidents, but more auto-related thefts in the city.
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 where there is a higher vehicular accident rate.
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 vary extensively from one insurance company to another. This is why it’s so important to get several quotes.
Different car insurance providers have other 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. Another tip is to get as many quotes as you can so you have a better shot at finding the lowest rates for the coverage you want.
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. It would be best if you asked your mechanic to examine your vehicle thoroughly. Also, it is recommended to change the tires once you have driven 50,000 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 brake pads after they have traveled 40,000 miles. Still, you should check the brakes 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 stuck in the gutter with a car that won’t start is something nobody wants. It won’t hurt to ask your mechanic to test your batteries’ power next time you get it serviced.
Finally, if you have a manual transmission, 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, you should replace almost all clutches 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 more in-depth 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.
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 figure could give you a precise idea if the car has been overused. As a basic rule, car experts advise not to consider a vehicle with more than 12,000 average miles driven per year.
Since many 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, which is not always a good option. The fact that 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 purchased a car that has been driven a lot in a short period, it is very likely there will be issues and substantial repairs in the near future. A good idea to consider is carefully sifting through this kind of car before deciding to buy it.
On the other hand, you should keep in mind how your driving habits could affect your car’s future value. If you want your vehicle to maintain good resale value, it is essential to keep a record of your average mileage driven per year. Typically, drivers are aware of what 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 making a purchase.
Maybe you are seriously thinking of driving for Uber or another ride-sharing type of service, or you are already doing it. If that’s the case, it is vital to know how this would affect your car’s value. 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 of driving for a ride-sharing service, like depreciation, gas, and repairs. You could also end up paying a lot more for insurance because of the increased mileage you put on your vehicle.
For almost all people, the cost of car insurance, gas, and their own time are the key factors to consider. Nevertheless, the central 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 taxi drivers, with their large number of miles traveled, accumulate to large amounts of depreciation in a short period.
The average depreciation per mile on a vehicle is usually about $0.08. 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. That’s a lot of depreciation!
Driving for Uber could still translate into good money for you. Nevertheless, 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.
As you have read above, mileage is one of the main aspects that impact a vehicle’s value. Keeping an eye (preferably two) on your average mileage when driving your car is an intelligent choice. The miles driven could determine your vehicle’s value if you decide to sell it in the future.
Together with this, it is also essential to examine the mileage on any vehicle you are considering buying. Your average miles driven could be a crucial part of savings when it comes to your car insurance premiums. If you want to maximize savings, driving less 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.