Driving More Miles Per Day? Costs, Wear and Safety Tips

What are the average driving miles per day in the U.S.? An older Federal Highway Administration (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 (our own division by 365). If your new job, new home, or new routine puts you well above that, your car, your budget, and your energy level will all feel it.

Picture a driver in Ontario who takes a job in Irvine and suddenly spends much more time on the freeway. This guide covers what changes when you drive more miles per day and the habits that help.

Average Driving Miles Per Day: What the Numbers Say

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 average at 13,476 miles per driver per year. The table does not list a per-day number, so we divided: 13,476 miles by 365 days is about 36.9 miles per day. A newer FHWA figure, in Highway Statistics table VM-1 for 2024, counts vehicles rather than drivers: 11,071 average miles per vehicle for all motor vehicles.

In the older table, averages vary by age. FHWA lists 15,098 miles a year for drivers 20 to 34 and 15,291 miles for drivers 35 to 54. Drivers 65 and older average 7,646 miles, and drivers 16 to 19 average 7,624 miles.

Time behind the wheel matters too. The Census Bureau's commuting summary says "The mean one-way travel time in 2024 was 27.2 minutes". It also reports that 69.2 percent of workers drove alone to work in 2024, and 9.3 percent had a one-way trip of 60 minutes or more.

What More Miles Per Day Costs

The IRS sets a standard mileage rate each year. According to the IRS 2026 announcement, the rate is 72.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from 2025. The IRS says the business rate "is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile".

That rate is a tax figure, not a bill you pay. Your own costs depend on your car and how you drive it.

Fuel economy is one place where small habits help. FuelEconomy.gov's maintenance tips say you can improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average, and up to 3% in some cases, by keeping tires at the proper pressure.

How Extra Miles Change Your Maintenance Schedule

When your owner's manual lists service intervals in miles, more miles per day means service comes due sooner on the calendar. The FTC's Auto Repair Basics says: "Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving". If your routine changed, reread that schedule with your new mileage in mind.

Tires deserve extra attention. NHTSA's tire safety page gives these checks:

• "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".

FuelEconomy.gov notes that the proper pressure "is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual".

Do not ignore warning lights. FuelEconomy.gov says 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".

Drowsy Driving on Long Daily Drives

Longer drives mean more time to get tired. NHTSA's drowsy driving page lists 644 deaths from drowsy-driving-related crashes in 2024. It also states: "NHTSA estimates that in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers".

NHTSA says drowsy-driving crashes occur most frequently "between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon".

NHTSA's advice for drivers includes:

• "Experts urge consumers to make it a priority to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night".
• "Avoid drinking any alcohol before driving".
• "Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use".
• If you get sleepy while driving, NHTSA suggests you "drink one to two cups of coffee and pull over for a short 20-minute nap" in a safe place.

A Simple Checklist for High-Mileage Routines

1. Track your real miles. Note your odometer today and again in a month, then compare it with the FHWA average.
2. Reset your service calendar. Use the owner's manual schedule for your type of driving.
3. Check tires monthly. Pressure, tread, and rotation, using NHTSA's guidance above.
4. Check for recalls. NHTSA's recall lookup uses your 17-character VIN, which is on the lower left of the windshield and on your registration card.
5. Pick a shop early. The FTC says to "Look for a repair shop before you need one to avoid being rushed into a last-minute decision". Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
6. Protect your sleep. Get enough rest before long drives.

For more on car costs, see our look at what California drivers miss about annual car costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average number of miles driven per day?

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 when we divide by 365. FHWA's 2024 VM-1 table lists 11,071 miles per vehicle, not per driver. Your own number depends on your commute and routine.

How much does the IRS allow per mile in 2026?

The IRS says the 2026 standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from 2025. The rate for medical purposes is 20.5 cents per mile. The IRS says taxpayers may also choose to calculate the actual costs of using their vehicle.

How often should I rotate my tires if I drive a lot?

NHTSA says to rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or sooner if uneven wear appears. Drivers who log more miles each day will reach that range sooner, so check your owner's manual and put the next rotation on your calendar.

When is drowsy driving most likely?

NHTSA says drowsy-driving crashes occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. NHTSA recommends seven to eight hours of sleep per night and says getting adequate sleep daily is the only true way to protect yourself.

Review Your Coverage When Your Miles Change

When your daily mileage changes, it is a good time to look at your auto policy too. At Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas, we can review how you use your car now and explain your options 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: Federal Highway Administration: Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group, Our Nation's Highways 2000: Licensed Drivers, Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-1; Internal Revenue Service: IRS sets 2026 business standard mileage rate at 72.5 cents per mile; U.S. Census Bureau: Commuting at a Glance, ACS 1-Year Estimates; NHTSA: Drowsy Driving, Tire Safety, Check for Recalls; FuelEconomy.gov: Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape; Federal Trade Commission: Auto Repair Basics.

Last updated: September 23, 2026.