The average lifespan of vehicles in the United States is 16.58 years. The average mileage of vehicles when junked was 156,470 miles. This is according to Junk Car Medics, a national junk car buying service, which analyzed over 50,000 records of junked cars from 2022 across the United States.
Below we breakdown the 5 states with the shortest and longest vehicle lifespans. We also take a look at the highest and lowest mileages by state.
5 states where vehicles had the longest lifespan
The national average lifespan of a vehicle in the United States was 16.58 years. The top 5 states have a range of 18 years to 18.61 years for vehicle lifespans. Compared to the national average, vehicles in the top 5 states lasted 1.72 years longer on average.
The 5 states where the vehicles had the longest lifespan are listed in the table below.
| Idaho | 18.61 | 154,802 |
| Oregon | 18.49 | 161,858 |
| North Dakota | 18.26 | 172,300 |
| West Virginia | 18.15 | 164,000 |
| Utah | 18 | 157,509 |
5 states where vehicles had the shortest lifespan
The 5 states where vehicles averaged the shortest lifespan have a range of 14.83 years to 15.39 years. The vehicle lifespan range is well below the national average lifespan of a vehicle which is 16.58 years. Vehicles in these states lasted an average of 1.53 years less than the national average.
The 5 states where the vehicles had the shortest lifespan are listed in the table below.
| Louisiana | 14.83 | 145,110 |
| Vermont | 14.86 | 164,057 |
| New York | 15.05 | 143,033 |
| Rhode Island | 15.1 | 164,125 |
| Delaware | 15.39 | 163,949 |
5 states where vehicles had the highest mileage
The 5 states where vehicles averaged the highest mileage when junked have a range of 166,417 miles to 183,500 miles. The mileage range is well above the national average mileage of a vehicle when junked, which is 156,470 miles. Vehicles in these states lasted, on average, 15,805 miles more than the national average.
The 5 states where the vehicles had the highest mileage are listed in the table below.
| Wyoming | 183,500 | 17.94 |
| North Dakota | 172,300 | 18.26 |
| Minnesota | 172,255 | 16.53 |
| South Carolina | 166,903 | 16.26 |
| North Carolina | 166,417 | 16.81 |
5 states where vehicles had the lowest mileage
The 5 states where vehicles averaged the lowest mileage when junked have a range of 131,946 miles to 148,143 miles. The mileage range is well below the national average mileage of a vehicle when junked, which is 156,470 miles. Vehicles in these states lasted, on average, about 10,000 miles less than the national average.
The 5 states where the vehicles had the lowest mileage are listed in the table below.
| Hawaii | 131,946 | 16.73 |
| New York | 143,033 | 15.05 |
| Louisiana | 145,110 | 14.83 |
| Illinois | 147,196 | 15.9 |
| Florida | 148,143 | 15.65 |
What factors affect how long a car will last?
There are 4 factors that have the greatest impact on how long a car last. The factors are listed below.
- Advancements in technology
- Regular car maintenance
- Safe driving
- Vehicle Location
What can I do to make my car last longer?
The best thing you can do to make your car last longer is properly maintain it. Get all of your routine maintenance done and on time. This includes oil changes, inspections, and following your cars routine maintenance schedule.
Which models have longer lifespans?
The 10 models that have the longest lifespans according to Junk Car Medics are listed below.
- Ford Ranger - 23.18 years
- Chevrolet Blazer - 22.62 years
- Buick LeSabre - 21.50 years
- Chevrolet Suburban - 20.98 years
- Ford F-150 - 20.26 years
- Honda Accord - 19.73 years
- Jeep Grand Cherokee - 19.73 years
- Ford Explorer - 19.53 years
- Toyota Camry - 19.50 years
- Ford Mustang - 19.46 years
Which models rack up the most miles?
The 10 models that racked up the most miles before reaching the end of their lives according to Junk Car Medics are listed below.
- Chevrolet Tahoe - 198,190 miles
- Chevrolet Suburban - 194,242 miles
- Honda Odyssey - 186,451 miles
- Honda CRV - 180,367 miles
- Acura TL - 179,919 miles
- Ford Expedition - 177,297 miles
- Toyota Prius - 177,197 miles
- Toyota Camry - 176,409 miles
- Ford F-150 - 176,390 miles
- Honda Accord - 176,071 miles
View The Complete Data
| Alabama | 17.05 | 154,885 |
| Alaska | 17.79 | 149,191 |
| Arizona | 16.72 | 153,650 |
| Arkansas | 16 | 152,308 |
| California | 17.01 | 155,761 |
| Colorado | 17.19 | 162,865 |
| Connecticut | 15.79 | 160,486 |
| Delaware | 15.39 | 163,949 |
| Florida | 15.65 | 148,143 |
| Georgia | 16.39 | 156,075 |
| Hawaii | 16.73 | 131,946 |
| Idaho | 18.61 | 154,802 |
| Illinois | 15.9 | 147,196 |
| Indiana | 16.67 | 159,854 |
| Iowa | 17.15 | 159,025 |
| Kansas | 17.4 | 163,317 |
| Kentucky | 16.52 | 159,796 |
| Louisiana | 14.83 | 145,110 |
| Maine | 15.94 | 160,708 |
| Maryland | 16.15 | 161,088 |
| Massachusetts | 15.57 | 159,940 |
| Michigan | 15.9 | 160,300 |
| Minnesota | 16.53 | 172,255 |
| Mississippi | 16.72 | 165,756 |
| Missouri | 16.29 | 163,096 |
| Montana | 17.31 | 159,241 |
| Nebraska | 16.3 | 157,825 |
| Nevada | 17 | 149,529 |
| New Hampshire | 15.76 | 164,744 |
| New Jersey | 15.59 | 156,279 |
| New Mexico | 17.03 | 158,101 |
| New York | 15.05 | 143,033 |
| North Carolina | 16.81 | 166,417 |
| North Dakota | 18.26 | 172,300 |
| Ohio | 16.06 | 160,095 |
| Oklahoma | 16.66 | 159,105 |
| Oregon | 18.49 | 161,858 |
| Pennsylvania | 15.78 | 151,488 |
| Rhode Island | 15.1 | 164,125 |
| South Carolina | 16.26 | 166,903 |
| South Dakota | 17.67 | 159,176 |
| Tennessee | 16.53 | 162,646 |
| Texas | 15.8 | 151,176 |
| Utah | 18 | 157,509 |
| Vermont | 14.86 | 164,057 |
| Virginia | 16.58 | 162,972 |
| Washington | 17.98 | 155,906 |
| West Virginia | 18.15 | 164,000 |
| Wisconsin | 16.08 | 157,360 |
| Wyoming | 17.94 | 183,500 |
| NATIONAL AVERAGE | 16.58 | 156,470 |
When it comes to understanding the lifespan of vehicles in the United States, a number of factors come into play. Climate, location, usage, maintenance, and care can all impact a vehicle's lifespan and mileage.
