Based on over 65,000 records collected through our nationwide junk car service, we’ve analyzed the lifespan patterns of vehicles across all 50 states. This comprehensive study reveals fascinating insights about how long Americans keep their cars and the mileage they achieve before recycling.
National Averages
17.1 Years Average Vehicle Age 160,545 Average Final Mileage 2007 Average Model YearVehicle Age by State
Average Vehicle Age (Years) 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19+ Average Final Mileage (Miles) 0-50K 50K-100K 100K-150K 150K-200K 200K+ Model Year Range 2000-2005 2006-2010 2011-2015 2016-2020 2021+States with Oldest Vehicles
1 Idaho 19.7 years 2 Montana 19.5 years 3 Wyoming 19.5 years 4 Oregon 19.4 years 5 Washington 19.3 yearsStates with Highest Final Mileage
1 Minnesota 176,248 miles 2 Kansas 173,176 miles 3 Wisconsin 173,154 miles 4 Oregon 172,925 miles 5 Missouri 171,718 milesKey Findings
Regional Differences
Northwestern states tend to keep their vehicles longer, with Idaho, Montana, and Oregon showing the highest average vehicle ages.
Mileage Patterns
Midwestern states accumulate the highest mileage before recycling, with Minnesota leading at over 176,000 miles.
Coastal Trends
Coastal states generally show lower vehicle ages, possibly due to environmental factors and higher salt exposure.
Complete State-by-State Data
| State | Average Age (Years) | Average Mileage | Average Model Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 17.7 | 154445 | 2006.3 |
| Alaska | 17.1 | 117200 | 2006.9 |
| Arizona | 17.3 | 158639 | 2006.7 |
| Arkansas | 16.6 | 167874 | 2007.4 |
| California | 17.7 | 161206 | 2006.3 |
| Colorado | 17.7 | 168700 | 2006.3 |
| Connecticut | 16.7 | 164174 | 2007.3 |
| Delaware | 18.0 | 163877 | 2006.0 |
| Florida | 16.5 | 148553 | 2007.5 |
| Georgia | 17.3 | 166103 | 2006.7 |
| Hawaii | 16.5 | 149587 | 2007.5 |
| Idaho | 19.7 | 153807 | 2004.3 |
| Illinois | 16.8 | 154180 | 2007.2 |
| Indiana | 17.3 | 160700 | 2006.7 |
| Iowa | 17.5 | 159226 | 2006.5 |
| Kansas | 17.9 | 173176 | 2006.1 |
| Kentucky | 17.4 | 163845 | 2006.6 |
| Louisiana | 16.0 | 152046 | 2008.0 |
| Maine | 15.7 | 171685 | 2008.3 |
| Maryland | 16.5 | 161828 | 2007.5 |
| Massachusetts | 16.0 | 159807 | 2008.0 |
| Michigan | 16.6 | 163964 | 2007.4 |
| Minnesota | 16.8 | 176248 | 2007.2 |
| Mississippi | 17.4 | 156736 | 2006.6 |
| Missouri | 17.3 | 171718 | 2006.7 |
| Montana | 19.5 | 150742 | 2004.5 |
| Nebraska | 17.3 | 153606 | 2006.7 |
| Nevada | 17.7 | 156051 | 2006.3 |
| New Hampshire | 16.2 | 153625 | 2007.8 |
| New Jersey | 16.4 | 153605 | 2007.6 |
| New Mexico | 17.9 | 155799 | 2006.1 |
| New York | 15.9 | 145082 | 2008.1 |
| North Carolina | 17.4 | 170944 | 2006.6 |
| North Dakota | 17.3 | 169500 | 2006.7 |
| Ohio | 16.4 | 163527 | 2007.6 |
| Oklahoma | 17.3 | 161157 | 2006.7 |
| Oregon | 19.4 | 172925 | 2004.6 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.6 | 152719 | 2007.4 |
| Rhode Island | 16.2 | 167652 | 2007.8 |
| South Carolina | 17.4 | 165495 | 2006.6 |
| South Dakota | 17.3 | 165120 | 2006.7 |
| Tennessee | 16.9 | 168346 | 2007.1 |
| Texas | 16.1 | 155461 | 2007.9 |
| Utah | 18.4 | 171394 | 2005.6 |
| Vermont | 16.3 | 166000 | 2007.7 |
| Virginia | 17.3 | 161657 | 2006.7 |
| Washington | 19.3 | 167855 | 2004.7 |
| West Virginia | 17.9 | 166580 | 2006.1 |
| Wisconsin | 17.1 | 173154 | 2006.9 |
| Wyoming | 19.5 | 168440 | 2004.5 |
| Combined Average | 17.1 | 160545 | 2006.9 |