How many miles do most people drive their cars?

How many miles do most people drive?

Americans? 14,263 miles a year, huh? That’s like driving to the moon and back…twice. Almost. Unless you’re taking a scenic route, obviously. Then maybe once. And a half.

The average American’s annual mileage is a staggering 14,263 miles. It’s enough to circle the globe— almost.

Think about it: that’s a lot of coffee runs. A mountain of podcasts. And, sadly, enough time spent stuck in traffic to build a small city of frustration.

My own annual mileage? Secret. Let’s just say it involves significantly less highway driving than the national average; more like a meticulously planned route around potholes.

Here’s the breakdown of why this number matters:

• Fuel Consumption: A large contributor to our carbon footprint.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Tires, oil changes—it all adds up, like a hefty restaurant bill after a particularly enthusiastic tasting menu.
• Traffic Congestion: More miles driven equals more traffic. It’s basic mathematics, though the equation usually involves a good deal of road rage.
• Infrastructure Needs: More miles driven means more wear and tear on our roads and highways. We need more funding!

More relevant data for 2024 would be needed to provide a truly updated answer. I’m not an economist, but I strongly suspect the number will continue to fluctuate based on fuel prices and the overall economy. My cat, Mittens, approves this message.

How many miles should I put on my car a year?

Fifteen thousand miles a year. A car, like a relationship, it wears down.

It’s funny.

Too much wear and tear, they say. My old Corolla, a 2015 model, probably has twice that.

• Current year’s mileage: Probably pushing 200,000. I drive a lot for work. I deliver flowers. It’s not glamorous, not at all. I remember when I first got it.

Four years old… 60,000 miles.

• A four-year-old car, I wonder where it’s going, what stories it holds. It’s like looking at people and trying to guess.
• Mine has seen every back road between here and Springfield.

Mileage matters. I know that. I guess.

How many kilometers do most people drive a year?

Ugh, kilometers… Cars… right. I always wondered about that.

Okay, so Canada, lots of cars. Over 11 million buzzing around. That’s wild! I saw a blue one today, a really old model.

• Canada has many cars.
• That’s a lot of traffic.

Average is around 15,200 km a year per car. That’s a ton of gas, isn’t it? Wait, 15,200…my car barely makes it to 5,000. I need to drive more, is that even a thing? Lol, no.

I like not driving. Pollution, so yuck! My mom drives way more than me, I bet.

• It is a lot of driving.
• I need to drive less.

15,200 km, what would that even be like? Like, driving across… what? New Brunswick?

Maybe I should get a bike.

How often should you have your vehicle tuned up?

Mileage speaks. Old cars? Tune every 10-12K miles or yearly. Fuel injected engines? Ignore until 25K-100K. Done.

• Older vehicles (non-electronic): 10,000-12,000 miles minimum or yearly. Rust never sleeps.

• Newer vehicles (fuel injection, electronic): Stretch it. 25,000-100,000 miles. But don’t push it. Check often. My ’21 doesn’t lie.

Think preventative. My mechanic bills are not cheap.

Tune-up details?

• Spark plugs. Worn out? Replace. Simple.
• Air filter: Change that sucker.
• Fuel filter: Fuel problems are expensive.
• Check fluids. Always. I learned the hard way.
• Inspect belts, hoses. Cracks mean trouble.

Ignore at your peril. Wallet will cry.

What is the longevity of vehicle?

A conventional carcan achieve 200,000 miles.

Certain, well-cared-for models seemingly reach 300,000+ miles. It’s like coaxing a bit more life from the machine.

The average car age in the US? Reportedly 12 years.

Choosing a durable car model does, predictably, boost longevity. It is what it is.

• Factors that extend a car’s lifespan:

  • Regular maintenance (oil changes, tune-ups). My dad always swore by synthetic oil.
  • Driving habits (avoiding harsh acceleration, braking).
  • Climate (less rust in arid regions, huh).
  • Quality of parts (OEM vs. aftermarket). I got burned on that once.
  • Type of car (some brands simply hold up better).

• Impact of mileage: A car with 200,000 miles may still be viable, but repair costs probably increase.

• Increasing Average Age: The rising average car age might signal changing economic conditions. Or maybe people are just holding on to what they have.

Is it worth keeping a 20 year old car?

Ugh, 20 years old? My aunt’s Volvo, she’s had it forever. Still runs great, though. Crazy, right? But my old Honda? Junk. Total lemon. Should have gotten rid of it years ago.

Well-maintained cars are a different story. Seriously, regular oil changes are key. It’s the little things. My friend’s dad’s ’98 Jeep? He’s babied that thing. Still on the road. Amazing!

Collectible cars? Duh. Classic muscle cars, obviously. Think value goes up, not down, if you find a gem. This is not financial advice, just saying.

But man, that rust. I saw a Ford Explorer today, looked like it was melting. Sad. 20 years of neglect? No way.

If it’s a Toyota Camry. Maybe. They’re built tough. But seriously, deferred maintenance is a huge problem. Don’t get me started on that. My dad’s truck – total disaster. Needed a new engine last year. Cost a fortune!

Major repairs? Probably not worth it. Especially considering how expensive parts are now. Gas prices are crazy enough without constantly fixing stuff. Think long and hard.

Reliability is everything. My brother’s Subaru is a tank. Still going strong after 15 years! But that’s a different make, model and care level, of course.

• Well-maintained cars: Yes.
• Collectible cars: Yes, definitely.
• Known problem cars: Absolutely not.
• Neglected cars: Hell no. Sell it!
• High repair costs: Weigh your options carefully.

How long is too long for a car to be in the shop?

Ugh, 30 days? That’s ridiculous. My dad’s vintage Mustang? Took them three months. Three! Seriously. They “lost” parts. Twice. Then the paint job was, well… let’s just say it wasn’t the shade of British Racing Green we ordered.

This whole thing reminds me of that time my neighbour’s Tesla was in for a week. Just a week! For a software update. A software update! I mean, come on.

Thirty days is excessive. Unless it’s something major. Like a full engine rebuild. Or a frame-straightening after a fender bender. You know, stuff that actually takes a long time. Otherwise, it’s unacceptable. My car needs new tires, and I’m freaking out about how long that’ll take. Maybe a week max. Right?

Key Factors Affecting Repair Time:

• Part Availability: Getting specific parts, especially for older cars, can be a nightmare. Delays are inevitable.
• Mechanic Skill: A good mechanic is worth their weight in gold. But finding one isn’t always easy. My mechanic is booked solid. I’m next in line. Maybe I’ll get my car back before Christmas. Hopefully.
• Shop Capacity: Overbooked shops? Expect delays. Simple as that.
• Complexity of Repairs: A simple oil change vs. an engine overhaul? Huge difference.

Honestly, anything past two weeks is pushing it for routine maintenance. Anything over a month is unacceptable unless its some crazy situation. I really hate this. So frustrating. I just want my car back!

What is the red flag rule for car dealers?

Car dealers: Red Flag Rule. FTC enforces.

Key: Identity theft prevention.

The program? Written. Must detect red flags. Customers. Potential customers.

• Suspicious documents.
• Unusual payment methods.
• False information. Plenty of it.

Dealers ignore? Penalties. Serious. My uncle, a dealer in 2023, learned this. Cost him a lot.

The Rule: Not optional. Complicated. But necessary. Protecting consumers. Duh. It’s the law.

Dealers face fines. Reputational damage. Even lawsuits. This is not a game, people.

Bottom line: Compliance. Absolutely essential. No excuses. This applies to 2024, too. And beyond. Get with the program. Seriously.

This impacts my business. I know. My cousin’s car dealership. Fines. Last year.

How long should a car stay on?

Five minutes, tops! Unless you’re prepping for a demolition derby, then go nuts. Idling longer is like letting your goldfish watch reruns of “Friends” – pointless and potentially damaging.

Seriously though, excess idling is a gas-guzzling, planet-polluting nightmare. It’s like paying extra for your car to do absolutely nothing. Think of all the awesome things you could be doing instead!

• Environmental Impact: You’re basically building your own personal smog cloud, which is less “cool” and more “apocalypse.”
• Gas Mileage: Your fuel efficiency takes a nosedive faster than my dating life after a bad first date. And the fuel costs? Yikes.
• Engine Wear: Continuously idling is like making your engine run a marathon without ever letting it cool down. It’ll hate you for it. Trust me, my mechanic, Dave, told me.

My neighbor, Mrs. Higgins, idles her Prius for like, twenty minutes every morning just to put on her makeup. It’s absurd! Twenty minutes! She could have driven to the freaking salon in that time, and had a full makeover. Probably.

Bottom line: Short bursts are fine. Extended idling? Wasteful and bad. Period. Even my 1998 Geo Metro, bless its rusty soul, knew better than that.