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Wyoming residents drive the most per capita in the United States, averaging over 18,000 miles annually. Other states with high driving rates include Alabama, Mississippi, and New Mexico. Conversely, residents of Washington DC and New York drive the least per capita, largely due to high population density and robust public transportation systems. Driving habits vary significantly based on regional geography, urban development, and local infrastructure. Because more time on the road increases the statistical likelihood of accidents, residents in high mileage states may face higher auto insurance premiums compared to those in states where people drive less.
The car has long been a central part of the American lifestyle, a symbol of freedom and mobility. This is reflected in the vast number of miles Americans drive each year. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the average American drives roughly 14,000 miles annually. Collectively, this amounts to a staggering 3.3 trillion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across the nation.
However, a closer look at driving habits reveals significant variations from state to state. Factors like population density, access to public transportation, urban vs. rural geography, and even local culture all influence how much a person drives. While the national average provides a general benchmark, the reality is that a driver in Wyoming has a vastly different experience, and drives a different number of miles, than a driver in New York City.
CheapInsurance.com, using recent data from the FHWA and the Census Bureau for 2024 and 2025, has analyzed VMT per capita to highlight which states’ residents spend the most time behind the wheel. The following is a breakdown of the key findings.
#51. Washington DC
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 3.25 billion
—Per capita: 4,843.7
#50. New York
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 112.65 billion
—Per capita: 5,724.9
#49. Hawaii
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 10.48 billion
—Per capita: 7,278.2
#48. Rhode Island
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 8.10 billion
—Per capita: 7,407.7
#47. Washington
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 59.18 billion
—Per capita: 7,600.6
#46. Alaska
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 5.80 billion
—Per capita: 7,902.3
#45. Pennsylvania
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 103.89 billion
—Per capita: 8,008.7
#44. Illinois
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 101.66 billion
—Per capita: 8,079.8
#43. California
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 319.63 billion
—Per capita: 8,189.5
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#42. Connecticut
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 30.40 billion
—Per capita: 8,383.7
#41. New Jersey
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 78.62 billion
—Per capita: 8,488.2
#40. Oregon
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 36.49 billion
—Per capita: 8,606.8
#39. Nevada
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 27.54 billion
—Per capita: 8,666.1
#38. Massachusetts
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 62.12 billion
—Per capita: 8,897.6
#37. West Virginia
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 16.35 billion
—Per capita: 9,211.6
#36. Maryland
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 57.68 billion
—Per capita: 9,355.9
#35. Colorado
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 54.67 billion
—Per capita: 9,361.6
#34. Virginia
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 83.20 billion
—Per capita: 9,580.9
#33. Ohio
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 113.94 billion
—Per capita: 9,692.2
#32. New Hampshire
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 13.61 billion
—Per capita: 9,753.9
#31. Delaware
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 10.02 billion
—Per capita: 9,839.0
#30. Michigan
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 99.17 billion
—Per capita: 9,883.6
#29. Texas
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 299.85 billion
—Per capita: 9,985.0
#28. Idaho
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 19.47 billion
—Per capita: 10,043.2
#27. Minnesota
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 57.78 billion
—Per capita: 10,106.9
#26. Utah
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 34.35 billion
—Per capita: 10,161.5
#25. Iowa
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 33.15 billion
—Per capita: 10,356.1
#24. Arizona
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 77.38 billion
—Per capita: 10,514.5
#23. Florida
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 234.29 billion
—Per capita: 10,532.4
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#22. Nebraska
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 20.86 billion
—Per capita: 10,598.5
#21. South Dakota
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 9.75 billion
—Per capita: 10,718.6
#20. Vermont
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 6.97 billion
—Per capita: 10,774.8
#19. Maine
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 14.93 billion
—Per capita: 10,780.0
#18. Kansas
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 31.67 billion
—Per capita: 10,782.2
#17. Kentucky
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 50.26 billion
—Per capita: 11,138.4
#16. North Carolina
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 119.59 billion
—Per capita: 11,178.1
#15. Wisconsin
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 65.88 billion
—Per capita: 11,179.9
#14. Oklahoma
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 45.20 billion
—Per capita: 11,243.3
#13. South Carolina
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 60.26 billion
—Per capita: 11,407.8
#12. Georgia
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 125.48 billion
—Per capita: 11,498.3
#11. Indiana
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 80.70 billion
—Per capita: 11,810.9
#10. North Dakota
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 9.33 billion
—Per capita: 11,978.0
#9. Tennessee
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 84.72 billion
—Per capita: 12,014.5
#8. Montana
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 13.53 billion
—Per capita: 12,045.1
#7. Louisiana
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 55.33 billion
—Per capita: 12,054.7
#6. Arkansas
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 38.25 billion
—Per capita: 12,560.3
#5. Missouri
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 80.59 billion
—Per capita: 13,045.1
#4. New Mexico
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 27.62 billion
—Per capita: 13,068.4
#3. Mississippi
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 40.49 billion
—Per capita: 13,771.5
#2. Alabama
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 77.64 billion
—Per capita: 15,300.3
#1. Wyoming
Annual vehicle-miles driven: 10.69 billion
—Per capita: 18,378.7
Frequently Asked Questions: Driving Per Capita by State
What does “vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita” mean?
VMT per capita is the total number of vehicle miles driven in a state over a year, divided by the number of residents. It helps compare how much people drive across states in a way that accounts for population size. This page’s rankings are based on VMT data (FHWA) and population data (U.S. Census Bureau).
Which states have the highest VMT per capita (drive the most per person)?
Rural, wide-open states tend to rank highest because residents often travel longer distances for work, school, shopping, and services, and public transit is limited. In this analysis, Wyoming ranks #1 for miles driven per person, with states like Alabama and Mississippi also near the top.
Why do some places have much lower driving per capita?
Areas with dense cities and strong public transportation usually see fewer miles driven per person. Shorter trip distances, more walkable neighborhoods, and more transit options reduce the need to drive. In this analysis, Washington, D.C. ranks lowest for VMT per capita, with states like New York and Hawaii also on the low end.
Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
