Which States Drive the Least—and Who’s Racking Up the Miles?

Are you a highway warrior or a hometown cruiser? According to stats from the Federal Highway Administration, the average American drives a whopping 14,263 miles per year. That’s enough to cross the U.S. coast-to-coast about five times—or take a leisurely road trip to the Moon and back… if you did it 5,000 times.

But depending on where you live, that number can vary wildly. States with sprawling rural areas tend to top the list, while those with dense cities and strong public transit systems drive much less.

Top 5 States Where People Drive the Most:

1. Wyoming – 24,069 miles/year
2. Mississippi – 19,966 miles/year
3. New Mexico – 19,157 miles/year
4. Missouri – 18,521 miles/year
5. Georgia – 18,334 miles/year

No big surprises here. These states are known for wide-open spaces and fewer public transportation options, meaning longer drives for work, errands, and everything in between.

Top 5 States Where People Drive the Least:

1. Rhode Island – 9,961 miles/year
2. New York – 10,167 miles/year
3. Washington – 10,949 miles/year
4. Alaska – 11,111 miles/year
5. Pennsylvania – 11,445 miles/year

Fun fact: You can fit 430 Rhode Islands inside Alaska, but somehow, people in both states drive a similar number of miles per year. (You’ve got to love that paradox.)

A Few More Fascinating Driving Facts:

• The U.S. boasts 8.7 million miles of roadway.
• Men drive about 6,000 more miles per year than women.
• In total, Americans clock 3.2 trillion miles annually—that’s more than enough for 5,000 round trips to the Moon.

So, how do you stack up? Are you cruising past the national average, or letting someone else do the driving? Either way, you’re part of one of the most car-dependent cultures on Earth. Buckle up.