The American Driver’s Footprint: An In-Depth Look at U.S. Annual Mileage

October 10, 2025

1. Introduction

Every year, Americans collectively drive more than 3.2 trillion miles, enough to circle the Earth over 128 million times. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the average licensed driver covers roughly 13,662 miles per year, or about 37 miles a day.

This metric vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per licensed driver, offers far more than trivia. It reveals how Americans live, work, and spend. In this article, we’ll break down the latest national data, explore demographic and regional differences, and examine the social and economic forces shaping how much and why we drive.

2. The Current National Average and Data Compilation

Recent FHWA data places the national average at 13,662 miles per licensed driver. To arrive at that number, the agency compiles input from every state’s highway department, combining traffic-counter readings, fuel-use records, odometer surveys, and household travel data. These sources together estimate total national vehicle miles traveled, which are then divided by the number of licensed drivers.

Put simply:

Total Miles Driven ÷ Licensed Drivers = Average Miles per Driver

That annual mileage translates to roughly 1,138 miles per month, or a 37-mile daily round trip, similar to the average U.S. commute distance.

While the average provides a national snapshot, it masks wide differences between groups, states, and lifestyles. To understand those variations, we must dig deeper.

3. Dissecting the Data: Demographic and Geographic Variations

3.1 Mileage by Demographics

Age:
Drivers between 20 and 54 rack up the most miles, often exceeding 15,000 per year, driven largely by work commutes, family activities, and longer leisure travel. Teen drivers (16–19) and seniors (65+) drive about 7,500 miles annually, limited by cost, access, and lifestyle needs.

Gender:
Men still drive significantly more than women, about 16,550 miles vs. 10,140 miles per year, a gap that persists due to occupational patterns (e.g., delivery, trade, and commuting distances) and longstanding social habits. However, women’s share of total VMT has steadily risen with workforce participation and household mobility roles.

3.2 Mileage by Geography

Driving behavior changes dramatically with landscape and infrastructure.

Highest-Mileage States: Wyoming, Alabama, Mississippi, and New Mexico, each averaging above 20,000 miles per driver annually. Wide rural geography, sparse public transit, and long commute distances are key factors.
Lowest-Mileage Areas: New York, Washington D.C., Rhode Island, and Hawaii hover under 10,000 miles per driver. Dense urban cores, transit systems, and higher car ownership costs reduce reliance on personal vehicles.

Population density, regional economies, and weather all contribute: harsh winters limit recreational driving, while wide western states depend heavily on highways for daily life.

Breakdown Average Miles Driven by State

State	Average Miles Driven by State
Alabama	17,523
Alaska	10,510
Arizona	13,024
Arkansas	16,702
California	11,409
Colorado	12,046
Connecticut	11,285
Delaware	11,451
Florida	13,807
Georgia	17,508
Hawaii	10,980
Idaho	13,756
Illinois	12,193
Indiana	20,560
Iowa	13,896
Kansas	15,269
Kentucky	16,050
Louisiana	16,612
Maine	13,816
Maryland	12,900
Massachusetts	11,648
Michigan	12,331
Minnesota	13,957
Mississippi	19,517
Missouri	18,514
Montana	15,517
Nebraska	14,671
Nevada	12,506
New Hampshire	11,304
New Jersey	11,349
New Mexico	17,786
New York	9,548
North Carolina	14,960
North Dakota	16,300
Ohio	13,155
Oklahoma	17,432
Oregon	11,780
Pennsylvania	10,950
Rhode Island	9,903
South Carolina	14,417
South Dakota	14,962
Tennessee	16,442
Texas	15,523
Utah	15,243
Vermont	14,899
Virginia	14,062
Washington	9,819
Washington D.C.	6,694
West Virginia	13,334
Wisconsin	15,125
Wyoming	21,589

4. Driving Forces: Factors Influencing Modern Mileage

4.1 Remote and Hybrid Work

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and hybrid work have permanently reduced commuting miles. Fewer five-day commutes mean lower weekday traffic volumes, especially in major metro regions.

4.2 Economic Conditions

Mileage closely tracks economic cycles. When gas prices spike or disposable income falls, Americans consolidate trips and delay leisure driving. Conversely, strong labor markets push VMT upward.

4.3 E-Commerce and Delivery Growth

While personal driving may dip, commercial VMT from delivery vehicles has surged. Amazon vans, gig-delivery drivers, and local courier fleets now account for a growing share of total roadway activity, shifting mileage from private cars to commercial vehicles.

4.4 Infrastructure and Policy

Urban design plays a long-term role. Investments in mass transit, bike lanes, and zoning density reduce reliance on cars. Meanwhile, improved fuel efficiency standards and the rise of EVs may alter future driving patterns, as lower per-mile costs can encourage more trips.

5. Historical Trends and Future Projections

5.1 Historical Context

From 1989 to 2019, American driving expanded by roughly 2 percent per year – a reflection of economic growth, suburbanization, and cheap fuel.
Then came 2020: nationwide lockdowns caused the steepest decline in U.S. driving history, from about 14,263 miles in 2019 to 12,724 in 2020 – a 10.8% drop.

5.2 Post-Pandemic Recovery

By 2023, most drivers had returned to near-normal habits, though total VMT remains slightly below pre-pandemic levels. The FHWA’s Spring 2024 Forecast anticipates slower growth going forward around 0.4 percent annually through 2050 as population growth cools and digital workplaces endure.

The Road Ahead

Future driving volumes hinge on:

Autonomous vehicle adoption — could raise mileage via on-demand fleets.
Energy prices — sustained high fuel costs suppress discretionary driving.
Urban migration and telecommuting — may continue moderating VMT growth.

The U.S. driver’s footprint, once steadily expanding, now faces a plateau era defined by technology and lifestyle change.

6. The Practical Impact of Annual Mileage

6.1 Vehicle Value

Mileage remains a central factor in depreciation. The “sweet spot” of 12,000–15,000 miles per year defines “average use.” Exceed it consistently, and resale value can drop faster – sometimes 5–10% more per year for high-mileage vehicles.

6.2 Car Insurance

While not always the case, some insurers treat mileage as a direct risk indicator: more miles = greater exposure to accidents.

6.3 Maintenance and Safety

Every additional 10,000 miles means more frequent oil changes, brake checks, tire replacements, and wear-related costs. Higher mileage also accelerates depreciation on safety components – an important factor for older vehicles.

7. Conclusion

The average American drives about 13,662 miles each year. While that may be the overall average, that only tells part of the story. Age, geography, economics, and lifestyle profoundly shape how and how far we travel.

Understanding these patterns matters not just for individual budgeting and insurance planning, but for broader public policy. From infrastructure funding to emission targets, America’s annual mileage remains a mirror of its economy, its cities, and its changing way of life.

Sources:

United States Department of Transportation

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htm

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2019/pdf/ps1.pdf