Average Miles Per Year in California: High-Mileage Car Tips

What is the average miles per year on a car in California? We did not find a published California per-car average from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Caltrans, so we start with national data. An older FHWA table, based on the 1995 federal Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS), put the average at 13,476 miles per driver per year, or about 37 miles a day. That is a per-driver figure, not a per-car one. If your odometer climbs faster than that, a steady maintenance routine and a few California rules can help you keep a high-mileage car running.

Picture a driver in Riverside whose paid-off car just passed a big odometer milestone. This guide covers maintenance, repair rights, smog checks, and vehicle retirement.

Average Miles Per Year on a Car in California

An older FHWA table of average annual miles per driver by age group, from its Our Nation's Highways 2000 report and based on the 1995 federal Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS), put the national average at 13,476 miles per driver per year. It does not give a per-car figure. In that table, drivers 20 to 34 average 15,098 miles and drivers 35 to 54 average 15,291 miles, while drivers 65 and older average 7,646 miles.

For California, FHWA's 2019 state statistical abstract lists statewide totals: 340,836 million vehicle miles traveled, 27,213,650 driver licenses, and 31,247,270 vehicle registrations. It does not list a per-vehicle average. Dividing vehicle miles by registrations, our own calculation, gives about 10,900 miles per registered vehicle in 2019. Nationally, FHWA's Highway Statistics table VM-1 for 2024 lists 11,071 average miles per vehicle for all motor vehicles.

Maintenance Habits for a High-Mileage Car

The FTC's Auto Repair Basics puts it simply: "Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving". If you drive a lot of freeway miles or sit in stop-and-go traffic, read which schedule fits you.

Tires deserve regular checks. NHTSA's tire safety page says:

• "Check the pressure of all tires, including your spare, at least once a month when the tires are 'cold.'"
• "Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or sooner if uneven wear appears".
• "Tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch".
• "Some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of treadwear".

FuelEconomy.gov's maintenance tips add two more habits. You can improve gas mileage by 1% to 2% by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. And a check engine light "could be something as minor as a loose gas cap, but it could also be a more serious issue that could reduce your fuel economy, increase emissions, and/or lead to costly repairs later".

Check for open recalls too. NHTSA's recall lookup uses your 17-character VIN, found on the lower left of the windshield and on your registration card. NHTSA says to contact your local dealership "to fix the recalled part for free".

Your Repair Rights in California

Whatever your car's age, it helps to know your rights before work starts. California's Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) lists them on its maintenance and repairs page:

• "The auto shop must give you an estimate that shows the expected cost of the work".
• "You must authorize the repairs before the auto shop can begin work on your vehicle".
• "You can ask the shop to return any parts they replaced in your vehicle".
• The final invoice must list the shop's name, address, and license number, plus the repairs performed and parts supplied.

BAR also offers a license lookup and a complaint process if you cannot resolve a problem with the shop's management. The FTC suggests you "Look for a repair shop before you need one to avoid being rushed into a last-minute decision," and to consider a second opinion for expensive or complicated repairs.

Smog Check Rules for Older Cars

BAR's Smog Check page says: "A Smog Check is required every other year to renew your vehicle registration". Key rules for older and newer vehicles:

• Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles from model year 1975 and older do not need a smog check.
• "Eight model years and newer - do not need a Smog Check for vehicle registration renewal".
• "Four model years and newer - do not need a Smog Check for a change of ownership".
• Diesel vehicles from model year 1998 and newer need a smog check, while diesel vehicles from 1997 and older do not.

Repair or Retire: California's CAP Program

If your car fails its smog check, BAR's Consumer Assistance Program may help. Its repair assistance page says: "Model year 1996 or newer vehicles may qualify for up to $1,450 for emissions-related repairs". Model year 1976-1995 vehicles may qualify for up to $1,100 for emissions-related repairs. To qualify, the vehicle must have failed its biennial smog check, and "Your gross household income must be less than or equal to 225% of the Federal poverty level". You pay a co-payment, and repairs are done at STAR test-and-repair stations.

BAR's vehicle retirement page, as of September 2026, lists three payment levels:

• $1,350: No income requirement, and the vehicle must have failed its most recent smog check.
• $1,500: Income-qualified, with a completed smog check (pass or fail) within 180 days before applying.
• $2,000: Income-qualified, and the vehicle must have failed its most recent smog check.

BAR also requires that you are the registered owner, that the car can be driven to a BAR-contracted dismantler under its own power, and that it was continuously registered with DMV without a lapse of more than 120 days during the two consecutive years before the current registration sticker expiration date.

To see how repairs fit into the bigger picture, read our guide to what California drivers miss about annual car costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many miles a year is average for a car?

FHWA's older table lists 13,476 miles per driver per year; it does not give a per-car figure. FHWA's 2024 VM-1 table lists 11,071 miles per vehicle nationally. Using FHWA's 2019 California totals (340,836 million vehicle miles, 31,247,270 registrations), our own division gives about 10,900 miles per registered vehicle.

Do older cars need a smog check in California?

BAR says a smog check is required every other year to renew registration. Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles from model year 1975 and older are exempt. Diesel vehicles from model year 1998 and newer need one, while 1997 and older diesels do not.

How much does California pay to retire a car?

BAR's vehicle retirement page lists $1,350 with no income requirement if the car failed its most recent smog check. Income-qualified owners may receive $1,500 or $2,000, depending on smog check results. The car must meet registration, ownership, and driveability rules.

Keep Your Coverage in Step With Your Car

As a car ages, it can make sense to review how it is covered. At Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas, we can go over your auto policy with you in plain terms, and our advice library covers more everyday driver questions. Coverage depends on your policy. Get a free quote and coverage review with our team.

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Written by LaMonte Douglas, owner of Young Douglas Insurance, a Farmers Insurance agency serving California from Ontario. CA License #4091974.

Sources (accessed September 23, 2026): Federal Highway Administration: Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group, Our Nation's Highways 2000: Licensed Drivers, Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-1, California State Statistical Abstract 2019; Federal Trade Commission: Auto Repair Basics; NHTSA: Tire Safety, Check for Recalls; FuelEconomy.gov: Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape; California Bureau of Automotive Repair: Maintenance and Repairs, Smog Check, CAP Repair Assistance, CAP Vehicle Retirement.

Last updated: September 23, 2026.