A new analysis ranks all 50 states by how much the average driver spends on gasoline in a year. We paired each state’s typical miles per driver with that state’s average gas price and a realistic on-road MPG to estimate annual fuel costs. The surprise is how often miles beat price. Places with long, everyday drives rise to the top even when fuel is cheap, while some low-mileage states stay affordable despite higher pump prices. At the extremes, New York spends the least, largely because drivers rack up fewer miles, and Wyoming spends the most, because distance dominates the math.
50. New York
- Miles per driver: 9,815
- Average gas price: $3.26
- Gallons per year: 430
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,403
New York lands at the bottom because the average driver simply doesn’t rack up many miles. Dense cities, commuter rail, and walkable neighborhoods mean fewer trips behind the wheel and shorter distances when people do drive. Prices aren’t low, but they’re not enough to offset how little fuel the typical driver uses. Suburban travel and upstate road time exist, of course, yet the everyday pattern still leans toward compact errands and transit-assisted commutes, keeping annual gasoline costs lighter than almost anywhere else.
49. Rhode Island
- Miles per driver: 10,411
- Average gas price: $3.09
- Gallons per year: 457
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,411
The Ocean State’s scale works in drivers’ favor. Commuting corridors are short, destinations are close together, and weekend mileage often stays within state lines. Prices sit in a normal New England range, but gallons never climb that high because trips are short and repeated. For many households, that means fewer fill-ups across the year. Even beach-season traffic doesn’t fully change the math for the “average” driver, leaving Rhode Island among the lowest annual gas spenders in the country.
48. Delaware
- Miles per driver: 10,854
- Average gas price: $3.06
- Gallons per year: 476
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,459
Delaware’s drivers benefit from compact commutes and easy access to nearby job hubs. Prices are middle-of-the-pack, and the state’s highway network makes errands efficient rather than sprawling. That combination keeps gallons relatively low over the year. The average driver isn’t trekking across huge distances weekly, so fuel use stays contained, and so does the bill. Proximity to major corridors helps, but it’s the modest mileage that really keeps annual out-of-pocket costs in check.
47. New Jersey
- Miles per driver: 11,536
- Average gas price: $3.11
- Gallons per year: 506
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,575
Jersey drivers tend to stack up shorter, familiar routes: school runs, station drops, and suburban errands. The price per gallon is near the U.S. middle, so overall spend comes down to how much fuel the average person burns, and that’s not a ton. Many commuters split trips with transit or carpooling, and a dense lattice of local roads keeps drives contained. Result: a lighter annual gas tab than you’d expect for a high-population state.
46. Colorado
- Miles per driver: 12,426
- Average gas price: $3.02
- Gallons per year: 545
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,645
Colorado has weekend road-trip energy ski runs, mountain towns, national parks, but the “average” driver’s workweek mileage is moderate. With prices around national norms, the typical motorist’s fuel spend stays on the low side. Seasonal getaways add bursts of distance, yet day-to-day trips don’t resemble the long hauls you see in the Plains or Mountain West. That balance keeps yearly gallons, and the bill, below the national top tier.
45. Pennsylvania
- Miles per driver: 11,189
- Average gas price: $3.37
- Gallons per year: 491
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,652
Pennsylvania’s average driver doesn’t cover a huge amount of ground, which offsets slightly higher prices at the pump. A web of small and midsize cities spreads trips across shorter corridors, think local commutes, not cross-state drives. Rural residents do log longer distances, but the overall pattern weighs more toward contained weekly mileage. The net effect is a manageable annual gas bill compared with many neighbors.
44. Connecticut
- Miles per driver: 11,974
- Average gas price: $3.19
- Gallons per year: 525
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,675
Connecticut stacks up with moderate mileage and Northeast pricing. Plenty of commuters still drive, yet a fair number mix in rail or telework, and many trip chains are short: town center, grocery, school, back. Those habits hold down gallons over the year. Even with a higher per-gallon figure than interior states, the average driver’s total remains relatively low thanks to contained travel patterns.
43. New Hampshire
- Miles per driver: 12,511
- Average gas price: $3.08
- Gallons per year: 549
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,690
New Hampshire sits in the low-spend group because typical drivers don’t cover extreme distances. Commutes can cross into Massachusetts, but many households live near work or organize errands efficiently. Prices hover near national averages, so annual spend is mostly a function of how many gallons get burned, and for the average Granite State driver, that number is modest.
42. Ohio
- Miles per driver: 13,345
- Average gas price: $2.90
- Gallons per year: 585
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,696
Ohio benefits from comparatively friendly prices, which helps even as mileage ticks up versus coastal states. The average driver strings together suburban commutes and regional trips, but not the marathon distances you’ll see out West. With a reasonable per-gallon cost, those extra miles don’t translate into a top-tier yearly bill, keeping Ohio on the affordable side of the ranking.
41. Michigan
- Miles per driver: 12,906
- Average gas price: $3.02
- Gallons per year: 566
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,707
Michigan’s fuel spend lands just above Ohio’s. Winters can nudge consumption higher, longer warm-ups, snow tires, slower travel, but the average driver’s mileage is still moderate and prices are close to national norms. Add it up and you get a yearly gas cost that’s firmly in the lower half of the list, even with the state’s big geographic footprint.
40. Massachusetts
- Miles per driver: 12,472
- Average gas price: $3.14
- Gallons per year: 547
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,718
Massachusetts keeps costs reasonable because daily driving is modest for a lot of households. Commutes often pair short freeway hops with local streets, and many errands stack up inside compact town centers. The price per gallon is not the lowest, but the state’s miles do most of the heavy lifting. Coastal trips, college runs, and weekend sport shuttles still add up, yet the average driver is not chewing through tanks at a country-road pace. That combination keeps annual spending below many Midwestern and Mountain West states that simply rack up more distance.
39. Illinois
- Miles per driver: 12,154
- Average gas price: $3.32
- Gallons per year: 533
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,769
Illinois blends midrange prices with fairly contained mileage. In and around Chicago, people often mix transit, rideshare, or walkable neighborhoods with selectively timed drives, which trims gallons across the year. Downstate drivers cover more ground, but the statewide average stays restrained compared with places where the next town is hours away. The result is a yearly bill that looks sensible despite a per-gallon price a touch above the national middle.
38. Iowa
- Miles per driver: 14,077
- Average gas price: $2.89
- Gallons per year: 617
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,784
Iowa’s geography means more road time than coastal states, but pump prices help cushion the blow. The average driver strings together work commutes, school activities, and regional trips on forgiving per-gallon costs. Long stretches between towns still show up in gallons, so spend is higher than New England, yet it remains lower than many Great Plains neighbors with similar distances but less favorable prices. It is a miles story, moderated by a friendly pump number.
37. Maryland
- Miles per driver: 13,228
- Average gas price: $3.17
- Gallons per year: 580
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,837
Maryland’s mix of dense suburbs and job centers keeps trips practical rather than epic. Plenty of commuters still drive, but many live close enough to skip long freeway slogs most days. Prices sit near the national middle, so annual spend stays anchored by gallons rather than a steep per-gallon penalty. Beach weeks and mountain weekends add seasonal miles, yet the typical pattern remains compact enough to hold the yearly bill below fast-driving interior states.
36. Minnesota
- Miles per driver: 14,272
- Average gas price: $2.99
- Gallons per year: 626
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,874
Minnesotans cover solid distance, and winter can nudge fuel use with longer warm-ups and slower roads. Even so, prices track close to average, which keeps costs from running away. The Twin Cities concentrate a lot of trips, while small-town residents take on the longer drives. Add it up and the state lands just below the midpoint on spending, with gallons doing most of the talking and price acting as a steadying influence.
35. Florida
- Miles per driver: 14,179
- Average gas price: $3.02
- Gallons per year: 622
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,876
Florida’s year-round driving climate and spread-out suburbs put regular miles on the odometer. Prices hover near the middle, so the annual bill reflects steady usage more than pump shock. Snowbird season and regional tourism push traffic in cycles, but for a typical resident the routine is simple: commute, errands, weekend family visits. That pattern lands Florida in the middle third on annual gas spend.
34. West Virginia
- Miles per driver: 14,091
- Average gas price: $3.05
- Gallons per year: 618
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,887
Mountain roads and longer connections between towns mean drivers use a bit more fuel each year. Prices sit near average, so the outcome comes down to gallons. Many households rely on cars for work, school, and services that are not around the corner, which steadily lifts yearly consumption. Even with that, West Virginia stays near the middle of the national pack because the per-gallon number is not unusually high.
33. South Carolina
- Miles per driver: 15,075
- Average gas price: $2.88
- Gallons per year: 661
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,905
South Carolina drivers put in decent mileage, especially across growing metro areas and coastal corridors. The price per gallon is on the friendly side, which helps offset the distance. Regular commuting, school travel, and weekend trips to see family are the rhythm here. That mix places the state just beyond the midpoint for annual spend, driven more by how far people go than what each gallon costs.
32. Wisconsin
- Miles per driver: 15,580
- Average gas price: $2.81
- Gallons per year: 683
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,918
Wisconsin’s drivers travel farther than many Northeastern states, but pump prices are helpful. Commuting patterns span small cities and suburbs with lots of regional trips for sports, lakes, and family. Winter adds some idling and cold-weather penalties, yet the per-gallon cost keeps the yearly bill in check. The numbers put Wisconsin slightly above the middle on spending, mostly because gallons add up over long distances.
31. Alaska
- Miles per driver: 11,173
- Average gas price: $3.97
- Gallons per year: 490
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,945
Alaska’s price premium shows up immediately. Even though statewide mileage is not extreme on average, the cost per gallon is high enough to keep annual spend elevated. Anchorage and larger hubs help contain daily distance, but remote trips, fishing runs, and seasonal supply drives still happen. That mix of moderate gallons and a steep per-gallon figure lands Alaska here, ahead of many states with more mileage but cheaper fuel.
30. Texas
- Miles per driver: 16,125
- Average gas price: $2.76
- Gallons per year: 707
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,953
Everything is far in Texas, and that shows up in miles. The average driver covers a lot of suburban and highway distance between work, errands, and weekend travel. What keeps the bill from climbing higher is price: fuel is relatively affordable compared with the coasts. Long commutes and big metro areas still add gallons across the year, but the pump number softens the hit. The result is mid-table spending despite the state’s famously long drives.
29. Maine
- Miles per driver: 14,185
- Average gas price: $3.14
- Gallons per year: 622
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,956
Maine mixes scenic routes with practical trips. People drive a fair amount, especially outside larger towns, and winter conditions can nudge consumption up. Prices are a bit above interior-state levels, yet not extreme. What really sets the total is steady, year-round mileage: school, work, hardware runs, and coastal visits stack up. Put together, the average driver lands just shy of the national midpoint on annual gas spend.
28. Nebraska
- Miles per driver: 15,157
- Average gas price: $2.96
- Gallons per year: 665
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,965
Nebraska drivers cover distance. Regional trips between towns and daily commutes raise yearly gallons more than coastal states with transit alternatives. The good news is price: filling up usually costs less than along either coast. That keeps the total from spiking despite the miles. For the typical household, the yearly fuel bill reflects life spread across wide spaces, balanced by a reasonable per-gallon number.
27. North Carolina
- Miles per driver: 15,198
- Average gas price: $2.95
- Gallons per year: 667
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,966
North Carolina’s growth belts connect suburbs, universities, and job centers, so routine driving adds up. Prices are friendly compared with many coastal states, which trims the impact of all those trips. The mix of mountain getaways, beach weekends, and everyday commuting creates a steady cadence of fill-ups rather than dramatic spikes. In the end, gallons drive the outcome, and the state settles just below the middle on spending.
26. Virginia
- Miles per driver: 14,877
- Average gas price: $3.14
- Gallons per year: 653
- Annual gas cost per driver: $1,993
Virginia blends dense corridors in the north with more spread-out regions elsewhere, producing solid but not extreme mileage. Prices sit near the national middle, so the annual total reflects how consistently people drive rather than any price shock. Commuters stitch together freeway hops and local streets, while weekend travel across the state adds seasonal miles. The typical driver’s bill lands a touch above mid-pack.
25. Kansas
- Miles per driver: 15,941
- Average gas price: $2.87
- Gallons per year: 699
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,009
In Kansas, the next appointment can be a real drive away. That reality pushes gallons higher than in compact coastal states. Pump prices, however, are forgiving. The combination keeps the annual tab from running away even as odometers spin. For many households, the pattern is predictable: regular commuting and weekend family trips over long, straight miles at reasonable per-gallon cost.
24. Louisiana
- Miles per driver: 16,452
- Average gas price: $2.92
- Gallons per year: 721
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,010
Louisiana’s drivers log steady miles between suburbs, small cities, and Gulf corridors. Fuel is often priced better than national averages, which helps as gallons stack up. Add in hurricane-season preparedness trips and regional family travel and you get a consistent, year-round consumption profile. It’s the distance, not the pump price, that ultimately places Louisiana just inside the higher-spend half.
23. South Dakota
- Miles per driver: 15,424
- Average gas price: $2.98
- Gallons per year: 676
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,015
South Dakota’s open roads and long links between services mean the average driver uses more fuel over the year. Prices are close to national norms, so there’s no severe price penalty; the miles do the work. Ranch runs, school activities, and regional errands build a predictable pattern of fill-ups. It adds up to a higher-than-median annual bill, driven by geography and travel needs.
22. Kentucky
- Miles per driver: 16,330
- Average gas price: $2.83
- Gallons per year: 716
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,024
Kentucky sits at the point where mileage starts to outweigh modest prices. Drivers put in plenty of road time across hills and small towns, with regular trips for work, school, and sport. Fuel is relatively affordable, but the gallons still add up. That’s why the state edges into the higher-spend tier even without the elevated per-gallon costs found on the coasts.
21. Washington
- Miles per driver: 10,125
- Average gas price: $4.58
- Gallons per year: 444
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,033
Washington shows the flip side of the math. The average driver doesn’t rack up huge miles, yet a high price per gallon pushes the total higher than many states with more driving. Urban cores and ferries keep some trips short, but weekend mountain and coastal travel still happens. With a premium at the pump, even modest gallons translate into a larger annual bill for the typical driver.
20. Tennessee
- Miles per driver: 16,558
- Average gas price: $2.80
- Gallons per year: 726
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,033
Tennessee’s growing suburbs mean lots of everyday driving school runs, job commutes, weekend ballgames, so gallons add up. Prices are friendly, which helps, but the steady rhythm of trips keeps the annual total right at the edge of the higher-spend tier. Mountain and river getaways add seasonal miles, yet most of the bill comes from ordinary weekly routines spread across big metros and small towns.
19. Arkansas
- Miles per driver: 17,287
- Average gas price: $2.77
- Gallons per year: 758
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,100
Arkansas drivers cover real distance between towns, job sites, and family hubs. The pump price is comparatively low, which softens the blow, but miles are the main story. For many households, errands and commutes happen on highways rather than short city hops, pushing total gallons higher and nudging annual costs into the top half of the rankings.
18. Oklahoma
- Miles per driver: 18,031
- Average gas price: $2.67
- Gallons per year: 791
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,111
Oklahoma keeps fuel cheap, but wide spaces lift usage. Drivers rack up miles on regular commutes, ranch runs, and weekend travel across the plains. Even with one of the more affordable per-gallon prices, the sheer volume of driving carries the state into the higher-spend bracket, proof that distance often beats price in this math.
17. Arizona
- Miles per driver: 13,501
- Average gas price: $3.58
- Gallons per year: 592
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,119
Arizona’s mileage isn’t extreme, but prices lean higher than many interior states. Sprawl around fast-growing metros adds daily distance, and summer A/C idling doesn’t help. With a moderate gallon count and a pricier fill-up, the average driver ends up in the high teens for annual spend.
16. Vermont
- Miles per driver: 15,048
- Average gas price: $3.25
- Gallons per year: 660
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,142
Vermont blends rural roads with compact town centers. People drive farther than in much of New England, and winter conditions can nibble at efficiency. Prices sit mid-range, so gallons do most of the work. The result is a solid step above the national middle on yearly fuel cost.
15. Georgia
- Miles per driver: 16,763
- Average gas price: $2.97
- Gallons per year: 735
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,184
Georgia’s big-metro commutes and suburb-to-suburb travel stack up miles quickly. Prices hover near average, so the annual total follows the odometer. Weekend trips across the state add to the tally, placing the typical driver just outside the top-spend tier.
14. Montana
- Miles per driver: 15,775
- Average gas price: $3.19
- Gallons per year: 692
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,207
Montana’s long scenic stretches show up on the fuel bill. Drivers don’t face coastal prices, but routine distances between towns, services, and recreation spots add gallons across the year. That combination of moderate price, serious mileage plants the state comfortably inside the top 20.
13. Oregon
- Miles per driver: 12,016
- Average gas price: $4.19
- Gallons per year: 527
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,207
Oregon proves you don’t need huge mileage to spend more; higher prices can do it. Everyday trips are often modest, yet a premium at the pump lifts the total. Coastal drives and mountain weekends contribute, but the main factor is a pricier fill-up applied to a steady, if not excessive, gallon count.
12. Alabama
- Miles per driver: 17,728
- Average gas price: $2.84
- Gallons per year: 778
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,211
Alabama’s drivers stay on the move. Commutes and family travel stretch across regions, and that distance shows in gallons. Prices are reasonable, but not low enough to fully counter the mileage. On net, the average driver’s annual fuel bill lands just outside the top ten.
11. Nevada
- Miles per driver: 12,716
- Average gas price: $3.99
- Gallons per year: 558
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,223
Nevada mixes shorter metro commutes with pricey fuel. Las Vegas and Reno keep daily distances moderate for many residents, but the pump number is elevated. Add in desert road trips and regional travel, and the average driver ends up paying more than most states with similar mileage.
10. Hawaii
- Miles per driver: 11,115
- Average gas price: $4.58
- Gallons per year: 488
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,233
Hawaii proves how much price matters. Daily trips are short and the average driver burns far fewer gallons than mainland states. Even so, pump prices are among the highest in the country, so costs add up quickly. Routine errands, school runs, and commuting inside island metros stay compact. Vacation driving and inter-island logistics don’t move the average much. What does move the total is the cost per gallon multiplied by those steady, everyday fill-ups. With modest miles but premium fuel, the typical driver still lands inside the top ten for annual gas spend.
9. North Dakota
- Miles per driver: 17,560
- Average gas price: $2.96
- Gallons per year: 770
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,282
North Dakota’s wide spacing between towns shows up on the odometer. Drivers cover serious distance for work, school, and services, and winter conditions can raise consumption further with longer warmups and slower roads. Prices are reasonable by national standards. The issue is volume. When a typical year means hundreds of gallons, even a friendly price turns into a larger number. That is why the average driver ends up in the top ten on spending despite a per-gallon cost that looks ordinary on paper.
8. Idaho
- Miles per driver: 14,643
- Average gas price: $3.56
- Gallons per year: 642
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,284
Idaho blends growing metro commutes with plenty of regional travel. The average driver does not hit Great Plains mileage, yet fuel prices trend higher than many interior states. Those two forces meet in the middle. Routine suburban trips, weekend drives to recreation areas, and school schedules keep gallons steady through the year. With a higher per-gallon figure, those gallons cost more, which nudges the typical household into the top ten on annual spend.
7. New Mexico
- Miles per driver: 18,321
- Average gas price: $2.94
- Gallons per year: 804
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,366
In New Mexico, distance does the heavy lifting. The average driver logs long stretches between communities and adds regional trips on top, so gallons rise quickly over a year. Prices help, sitting below many coastal states, but not enough to cancel that volume. Commutes, errands, and family travel add up to frequent fill-ups across big spaces. With high miles and a midrange price, the math lands the state solidly inside the top ten for annual gasoline costs.
6. Missouri
- Miles per driver: 19,049
- Average gas price: $2.83
- Gallons per year: 835
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,367
Missouri is a miles story. Drivers average more than 19,000 miles a year, which pushes fuel use up even when prices are friendly. Suburban commutes between job centers, school and sports travel, and regular highway trips stack gallons steadily. The per-gallon number is not a problem on its own. The combination of distance and frequency is what moves the total. That is how the typical driver ends up near the top of the list on annual gas spend.
5. Utah
- Miles per driver: 15,725
- Average gas price: $3.45
- Gallons per year: 690
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,379
Utah’s growth corridors connect housing, work, and recreation over real distance. Daily commuting adds consistent miles, and weekend canyon or desert trips add seasonal ones. Prices sit above many interior states, so each gallon costs more than it would across the Plains. The average driver does not hit the highest gallon counts in the country, yet the price premium pushes the total higher. Put the two together and Utah breaks into the top five for yearly fuel costs.
4. Mississippi
- Miles per driver: 19,910
- Average gas price: $2.76
- Gallons per year: 873
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,408
Mississippi shows how distance can outweigh price. Per-gallon cost is among the lowest in the nation, but the typical driver covers almost 20,000 miles a year. That mileage translates into one of the highest gallon counts in the country. Commutes, long county connectors, and frequent regional trips keep tanks draining and refilling. Cheap fuel helps every stop at the pump. It cannot offset the sheer number of stops across a long-driving year, which is why the state lands this high on spending.
3. California
- Miles per driver: 11,780
- Average gas price: $4.76
- Gallons per year: 517
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,459
California sits near the top for a different reason. The average driver does not rack up extreme miles thanks to dense metros, shorter trip chains, and more alternatives to driving. Prices, however, are among the highest in the country. Multiply a modest gallon count by a steep per-gallon number and the annual bill climbs. That is the pattern for a typical driver. Everyday commuting and errands do not look excessive, yet they are priced at a premium, and that lifts California into the top three.
2. Indiana
- Miles per driver: 19,296
- Average gas price: $2.96
- Gallons per year: 846
- Annual gas cost per driver: $2,501
Indiana combines high mileage with a midrange pump price. Many households connect suburbs, job sites, and school schedules over long corridors, and regional trips add distance on weekends. The per-gallon figure is not extreme. The average driver simply burns a lot of gallons in a year, so the total rises. With odometers spinning well above many states, Indiana lands in second place for annual gas spending.
1. Wyoming
- Miles per driver: 21,986
- Average gas price: $3.13
- Gallons per year: 964
- Annual gas cost per driver: $3,021
Wyoming tops the ranking because the average driver covers enormous distance. Towns are far apart, services are spread out, and work or family trips often involve long highway runs. Prices sit near the national middle, but the volume of fuel used is unmatched. Nearly a thousand gallons a year for the typical driver puts Wyoming in a class of its own. That level of consumption makes annual costs the highest in the country even without coastal-level prices at the pump.
Methodology
We estimated the annual gasoline spend per average driver in each state, based on the number of licensed drivers in each state (Highway Statistics – Licensed drivers), the number of miles traveled in each state (Traffic Volume Trends (FHWA)), the average gas price in each state over the last 30 days (AAA State Gas Price Averages), and the average fuel economy of light-duty vehicles (which is 22.8mpg). Based on all of this data, we worked out how much the average driver spends on gas eeach year. Results reflect drivers of gasoline light-duty vehicles; EVs, diesel, and hybrid mixes vary by state and can lower or raise individual outcomes.
