Saving & Spending Home & Auto

10 States Where Americans Drive the Most Each Year (Is Yours on the List?)

New data reveals which states' drivers log the most miles each year.

By Andy Lindquist

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Nov. 18, 2025

If you think gas prices are the only thing draining your wallet, think again. Where you live might have an even bigger impact on how much you spend behind the wheel.

In some states, drivers rack up tens of thousands of miles every year. Those long commutes are one of the surprising financial mistakes keeping you from saving more and finding ways to keep more cash in your wallet.

From maintenance to auto insurance, miles spent on the road can add up. But where will drivers feel the most impact on their bottom line? FinanceBuzz evaluated Federal Highway Administration data to find the 10 states where people drive the most each year.

Georgia

Annual miles driven per driver: 16,763

The Peach State has plenty of sprawling metro areas connected by the interstate highway system, particularly in Atlanta and Augusta.

As the home of many large freight and construction companies like UPS and Home Depot, drivers in Georgia love to pile on the mileage to the tune of 128.8 billion total annual miles driven over the last 12 months between the state's 7 million licensed drivers.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

Arkansas

Annual miles driven per driver: 17,287

Drivers in the "Natural State" have plenty of sprawling highways between most of the rural towns and cities.

With very little in the way of public transit and an economy that relies on big agricultural facilities and lots of truck drivers, it's easy to see how residents cover roughly 39.9 billion miles annually. That works out to just over 17,000 miles per driver.

North Dakota

Annual miles driven per driver: 17,560

Despite having fewer than 600,000 licensed drivers, North Dakota's motorists collectively travel over 10.2 billion miles a year. Wide-open spaces, long winters, and the state's oil and agriculture sectors mean driving long distances is often unavoidable. There's simply no other way to get around, especially if you want to see all of the state's natural beauty.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>

Alabama

Annual miles driven per driver: 17,728

Urban sprawl and a lack of mass transit mean Alabama residents have to cover long distances by car. Even the state's major hubs, like Birmingham and Huntsville, lack the train/bus fleets of bigger cities, so people have to drive more to get around.

With over 4 million licensed drivers and 72.4 billion miles driven over the last twelve months, that works out to 17,728 miles driven per driver annually.

Oklahoma

Annual miles driven per driver: 18,031

With flat terrain (and lax enforcement of speed limits), Oklahoma residents have ample room to eat up miles. Gas prices are also well below the national average of $3.07 per gallon, with Oklahomans paying a mere $2.56 per gallon. So, it's easy to see why drivers are incentivized to drive and let it rip on the highway — about 18,000 miles driven per driver, in fact.

New Mexico

Annual miles driven per driver: 18,321

New Mexico's 28.2 billion annual miles driven are spread across vast rural landscapes and scenic routes. With long distances between the few major population centers like Albuquerque and Santa Fe, residents have to cover a lot of miles.

Throw in large military installations and massive trucking operations, and you get the picture.

Don't Miss: 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance.

Missouri

Annual miles driven per driver: 19,049

Drivers in Missouri travel over 82 billion miles a year in total, mainly due to the state's central location, its interstate highway system, and its lack of public transit. Many residents also have to commute long distances to reach the two major metro areas, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Indiana

Annual miles driven per driver: 19,296

With its central location in the heartland of America, Indiana residents have driven a total of 91 billion miles over the last 12 months among its nearly 5 million licensed drivers.

With a dense interstate network and plenty of cross-state traffic in and out of the state, it's no surprise Indiana is well above the national average.

Mississippi

Annual miles driven per driver: 19,910

With limited public transportation and a rural spread, Mississippi residents rely on their cars more than most states, with 4.2 billion miles driven annually among 2,071,414 drivers. With such a large spread and a lack of big cities, most workers in manufacturing and agriculture have long commutes.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Wyoming

Annual miles driven per driver: 21,986

Despite having fewer than half a million licensed drivers, Wyoming tops the list by a wide margin. The average resident drives nearly 22,000 miles each year, which is more than 50% more time spent driving than the national average.

The main reason for that could be the state's sparse population and vast geography, with towns spread very far apart. The western-style ranch life means lots of land for a homestead, but also a long drive to the grocery store.

Bottom line

While many people think of housing or groceries as their biggest budget drains, the cost of driving quietly adds up, especially in states where long commutes are the norm. Between higher gas bills, accelerated car depreciation, and more frequent maintenance, those extra miles can cost drivers thousands of dollars a year.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average American drives approximately 13,500 miles annually nationwide. That means residents in these 10 states are easily logging 30–60% more than average. That extra mileage doesn't just wear down your car; it eats into your cash flow. So, it's a smart money move for car owners to avoid the long drives in these states.

More from FinanceBuzz: