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Fact #328: July 12, 2004
Expected Average Annual Miles

Twenty-five percent of the respondents to a nationwide survey said that they would drive 10,000–15,000 miles a year for the first three years after buying a new vehicle. Surprisingly, 27% of respondents said they expected to drive 25,000 miles or more each year after buying a new vehicle. The average of survey respondent's answers was 16,800 miles per year for the first three years. According to the 2001 National Household Travel Survey (a much larger survey performed every five years by the U.S. Department of Transportation), the typical new vehicle is driven about 15,000 miles per year for the first three years.

Supporting Information

When or if you buy a new vehicle, how many miles PER YEAR will you drive for the FIRST THREE YEARS?

4,999 miles a year or less	11%
5,000–9,999 miles a year	9%
10,000–14,999 miles a year	25%
15,000–19,999 miles a year	18%
20,000–24,999 miles a year	10%
25,000 miles or more a year	27%
Total	100%
Source: Nationwide random phone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, May 20–23, 2004 (N = 1036).

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