The Most and Least Car-Dependent States [Complete Study]
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Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
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UPDATED: Mar 11, 2024
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UPDATED: Mar 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Welcome to our comprehensive article on “The Most and Least Car-Dependent States.” In this insightful piece, we delve into the fascinating world of car dependence and explore which states in the United States rely the most and the least on cars for transportation.
Nationally, 85 percent of adults aged 16 and older have a driver’s license. Annually, these drivers log 3.2 trillion miles.
We examine a range of factors including public transportation availability, walkability, bike-friendliness, and average commute times to determine the rankings. Along the way, we discuss the impact of car dependence on the environment, health, and quality of life, shedding light on the importance of alternative modes of transportation.
To make informed decisions about your car insurance, we invite you to enter your ZIP code and compare rates from the best insurance providers in your area. Take the first step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective transportation future while ensuring your vehicle is protected with the right coverage.
As the U.S. population has grown, so has the number of vehicles on the road. In fact, the increase in the total number of vehicles on American roads has outpaced population growth since the 1960s. Of the 272 million vehicles (including private and public automobiles, buses, trucks, and motorcycles) driven today, 109 million are privately-owned passenger vehicles.
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The more time you spend behind the wheel, the more important it is to have the best auto insurance. We can help you easily compare car insurance coverages from the best providers.
As the number of vehicles per person has grown, so has the average distance traveled per year. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that U.S. drivers log about 10,000 miles per year, up from roughly 7,000 miles in the 1980s. Over the past several decades, the largest increases have occurred in urban areas. As a result, city roads are increasingly congested, prolonging commute times and adding to Americans’ daily stress.
The wasted time spent in the car is also costly. Research firm INRIX found that Americans lose 97 hours a year to traffic jams and slow-moving drivers. The lost hours translate to a cost of $87 billion a year.
That said, the stress and financial strain caused by increased time spent behind the wheel doesn’t impact residents throughout the country uniformly. To identify the most car-dependent states in the U.S., our researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Census Bureau. We created a composite car-dependency index based on the following factors and weights:
- Annual miles driven per person – 50%
- Workers who commute by car – 30%
- Number of passenger vehicles per person – 10%
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license – 10%
This article covers the 20 states: 10 that are the most car-dependent and 10 that are the least car-dependent. This factor plays into car insurance rates for these states. If you’re looking to find car insurance in your community, visit our insurance quote comparison page for access to insurance company reviews and local agents and brokers.
If you live in an area that’s dependent on cars, it’s important to get good car insurance rates. Enter your ZIP code into our FREE online quote comparison tool to find the best rates for your area.
In the frequently asked questions section of this article, we’ll cover additional topics like:
- Car dependency definition
- Car-dependent cities
- How to reduce car dependency
- Negative impacts of automobile dependency
Now, back to the study. Here’s what we found:
Study’s Key Takeaways
Overall, the car-dependency index ranges from a high of 98.81 to a low of 50.8. The most car-dependent states largely exist in the southern part of the U.S.. Conversely, the least car-dependent states are generally found on the West Coast or in the Northeast.
Rural versus urban density plays an important role in determining car dependency. The least car-dependent states have low percentages of residents living in rural areas. The opposite is true for states at the high end of the index. Residents in rural areas are less likely to have access to public transportation and are more likely to require a car for daily commuting and other responsibilities.
While driving has increased overall, a smaller share of U.S. employees are using their personal vehicles to get to work.
In a 10-year span from 2007 to 2017, Census reported a 1.2 percentage point drop in workers who commute by car.
Among the least car-dependent states, the drop was as great as 5.4 percentage points in the District of Columbia. Conversely, in the most car-dependent states, these numbers generally stayed the same or increased over the same time period.
Among the largest U.S. cities, Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco experienced the greatest decreases in car commuters since 2007, at 9.2, 8.1, and 7.1 percentage points, respectively.
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The Most Car-Dependent States
#1 – Alabama
- Car-dependency index: 98.81
- Annual miles driven per person: 14,499
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.41
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 100%
- Workers who commute by car: 94.2%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
Driving more often and during unusual hours can result in accidents as we’ve seen in recent years with the hazards of drowsy driving. Learn more about the dangers of drowsy driving to prevent you from becoming a victim.
#2 – Tennessee
- Car-dependency index: 91.97
- Annual miles driven per person: 12,247
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.34
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 98%
- Workers who commute by car: 92.0%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -1.4 percentage points
#3 – Arkansas
- Car-dependency index: 90.80
- Annual miles driven per person: 12,112
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.30
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 100%
- Workers who commute by car: 93.2%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
#4 – Mississippi
- Car-dependency index: 90.49
- Annual miles driven per person: 13,698
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.27
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 86%
- Workers who commute by car: 94.6%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: +0.8 percentage points
In Mississippi, not all cars are created equal, at least according to car thieves. Check out our article about the most stolen cars in Mississippi to see if your car is a top target.
#5 – North Dakota
- Car-dependency index: 90.21
- Annual miles driven per person: 12,863
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.36
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 93%
- Workers who commute by car: 89.8%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: +1.9 percentage points
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#6 – Oklahoma
- Car-dependency index: 89.41
- Annual miles driven per person: 12,568
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.34
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 80%
- Workers who commute by car: 92.1%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
Read more: Oklahoma Car Insurance Discounts
#7 – Missouri
- Car-dependency index: 87.63
- Annual miles driven per person: 12,417
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.35
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 86%
- Workers who commute by car: 90.6%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
And you should know: St. Louis, Missouri, is a deadly city for U.S. drivers as it ranks in the top 10 deadliest cities for drivers.
#8 – New Mexico
- Car-dependency index: 87.46
- Annual miles driven per person: 14,214
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.29
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 88%
- Workers who commute by car: 90.0%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
#9 – Indiana
- Car-dependency index: 86.96
- Annual miles driven per person: 12,263
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.34
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 85%
- Workers who commute by car: 91.2%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -1.4 percentage points
#10 – Wyoming
- Car-dependency index: 86.57
- Annual miles driven per person: 16,890
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.33
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 91%
- Workers who commute by car: 88.1%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
The Least Car-Dependent States
#1 – New York
- Car-dependency index: 50.80
- Annual miles driven per person: 6,234
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.23
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 74%
- Workers who commute by car: 59.4%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -2.1 percentage points
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#2 – District of Columbia
- Car-dependency index: 53.34
- Annual miles driven per person: 5,354
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.28
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 89%
- Workers who commute by car: 39.6%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -5.4 percentage points
#3 – Hawaii
- Car-dependency index: 56.37
- Annual miles driven per person: 7,529
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.35
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 81%
- Workers who commute by car: 80.8%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -2.4 percentage points
#4 – Alaska
- Car-dependency index: 56.67
- Annual miles driven per person: 7,460
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.23
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 92%
- Workers who commute by car: 81.1%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: No significant change
#5 – New Jersey
- Car-dependency index: 57.07
- Annual miles driven per person: 8,607
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.31
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 85%
- Workers who commute by car: 78.9%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -2.1 percentage points
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#6 – Illinois
- Car-dependency index: 58.71
- Annual miles driven per person: 8,437
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.36
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 82%
- Workers who commute by car: 80.8%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -2.2 percentage points
#7 – Massachusetts
- Car-dependency index: 59.70
- Annual miles driven per person: 9,134
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.32
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 86%
- Workers who commute by car: 77.3%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -3.9 percentage points
Massachusetts is frequently featured on lists of the states with the best drivers. Part of the credit may go to its rigorous road test and requirements for teens to get a driver’s license.
Additional education is one of many discounts available to younger drivers, who may have very high car insurance rates. Go to our cheap car insurance for young drivers page to find the best insurance for your teenager.
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#8 – Pennsylvania
- Car-dependency index: 59.71
- Annual miles driven per person: 7,935
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.34
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 84%
- Workers who commute by car: 84.7%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -1.4 percentage points
#9 – California
- Car-dependency index: 62.25
- Annual miles driven per person: 8,697
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.37
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 84%
- Workers who commute by car: 83.9%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -1.1 percentage points
California is one of the only states to outlaw the use of non-driving factors to set car insurance rates. See our answer to the question, “How are car insurance rates determined?” for more information.
#10 – Oregon
- Car-dependency index: 62.36
- Annual miles driven per person: 8,872
- Number of passenger vehicles per person: 0.37
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license: 85%
- Workers who commute by car: 81.4%
- 10-year change in workers commuting by car: -3.1 percentage points
Full Study Results
| Rank | States | Car Dependency Index | Annual Miles Driven per Person | Passenger Vehicles per Person | Adults 16+ with a Driver's License | Workers who Commute by Car | 10-yr Change: Commuting by Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | 98.81 | 14,499 | 0.41 | 100% | 94.2% | No change |
| 2 | Tennessee | 91.97 | 12,247 | 0.34 | 98% | 92.0% | -1.4% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 90.8 | 12,112 | 0.3 | 100% | 93.2% | No change |
| 4 | Mississippi | 90.49 | 13,698 | 0.27 | 86% | 94.6% | +0.8% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 90.21 | 12,863 | 0.36 | 93% | 89.8% | +1.9% |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 89.41 | 12,568 | 0.34 | 80% | 92.1% | No change |
| 7 | Missouri | 87.63 | 12,417 | 0.35 | 86% | 90.6% | No change |
| 8 | New Mexico | 87.46 | 14,214 | 0.29 | 88% | 90.0% | No change |
| 9 | Indiana | 86.96 | 12,263 | 0.34 | 85% | 91.2% | -1.4% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 86.57 | 16,890 | 0.33 | 91% | 88.1% | No change |
| 11 | South Carolina | 85.49 | 11,046 | 0.34 | 93% | 91.3% | -0.8% |
| 12 | Kentucky | 84.33 | 11,055 | 0.37 | 84% | 91.4% | -0.9% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 83.83 | 11,088 | 0.4 | 91% | 89.0% | +1.6% |
| 14 | Montana | 83.73 | 12,037 | 0.42 | 94% | 85.4% | No change |
| 15 | Kansas | 83.52 | 11,073 | 0.34 | 88% | 91.2% | No change |
| 16 | Nebraska | 82.95 | 10,938 | 0.35 | 92% | 90.8% | +1.7% |
| 17 | Delaware | 82.75 | 10,881 | 0.43 | 97% | 89.2% | No change |
| 18 | North Carolina | 82.46 | 11,600 | 0.32 | 88% | 89.9% | -1.8% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 82.05 | 11,271 | 0.36 | 89% | 88.8% | No change |
| 20 | Iowa | 80.88 | 10,644 | 0.4 | 89% | 89.4% | No change |
| 21 | Louisiana | 80.78 | 10,508 | 0.29 | 91% | 91.9% | No change |
| 22 | Vermont | 80.5 | 11,905 | 0.35 | 100% | 84.0% | No change |
| 23 | Georgia | 79.99 | 11,960 | 0.33 | 85% | 88.6% | -1.2% |
| 24 | Ohio | 78.55 | 10,258 | 0.39 | 84% | 91.0% | No change |
| 25 | New Hampshire | 77.84 | 10,189 | 0.37 | 97% | 89.2% | No change |
| 26 | Michigan | 76.96 | 10,214 | 0.32 | 87% | 91.2% | -0.7% |
| 27 | West Virginia | 76.96 | 10,503 | 0.3 | 76% | 91.8% | No change |
| 28 | Maine | 76.17 | 11,032 | 0.29 | 92% | 87.9% | -1.1% |
| 29 | Florida | 74.71 | 10,428 | 0.37 | 86% | 88.4% | -1.7% |
| 30 | Minnesota | 73.84 | 10,754 | 0.38 | 76% | 86.2% | -0.9% |
| 31 | Idaho | 72.85 | 10,076 | 0.32 | 88% | 89.3% | +1.3% |
| 32 | Virginia | 69.92 | 10,066 | 0.38 | 86% | 86.0% | -2.2% |
| 33 | Texas | 69.13 | 9,644 | 0.29 | 77% | 90.4% | -0.7% |
| 34 | Utah | 68.45 | 10,147 | 0.29 | 86% | 86.8% | -1.1% |
| 35 | Arizona | 68.25 | 9,274 | 0.34 | 91% | 87.5% | -0.8% |
| 36 | Nevada | 66.38 | 9,202 | 0.35 | 79% | 88.3% | -1.0% |
| 37 | Connecticut | 65.78 | 8,779 | 0.36 | 87% | 86.1% | -1.3% |
| 38 | Maryland | 65.68 | 9,921 | 0.33 | 88% | 82.8% | -1.7% |
| 39 | Rhode Island | 65.19 | 7,551 | 0.39 | 85% | 88.8% | No change |
| 40 | Colorado | 64.8 | 9,520 | 0.32 | 91% | 83.4% | -1.7% |
| 41 | Washington | 64.03 | 8,294 | 0.39 | 96% | 81.9% | -2.6% |
| 42 | Oregon | 62.36 | 8,872 | 0.37 | 85% | 81.4% | -3.1% |
| 43 | California | 62.25 | 8,697 | 0.37 | 84% | 83.9% | -1.1% |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | 59.71 | 7,935 | 0.34 | 84% | 84.7% | -1.4% |
| 45 | Massachusetts | 59.7 | 9,134 | 0.32 | 86% | 77.3% | -3.9% |
| 46 | Illinois | 58.71 | 8,437 | 0.36 | 82% | 80.8% | -2.2% |
| 47 | New Jersey | 57.07 | 8,607 | 0.31 | 85% | 78.9% | -2.1% |
| 48 | Alaska | 56.67 | 7,460 | 0.23 | 92% | 81.1% | No change |
| 49 | Hawaii | 56.37 | 7,529 | 0.35 | 81% | 80.8% | -2.4% |
| 50 | District of Columbia | 53.34 | 5,354 | 0.28 | 89% | 39.6% | -5.4% |
| 51 | New York | 50.8 | 6,234 | 0.23 | 74% | 59.4% | -2.1% |
| National Average | United States | 65.59 | 9,862 | 0.34 | 85% | 85.3% | -1.2% |
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Methodology: Determining the Most and Least Car-Dependent States
To identify the most car-dependent states, a composite car-dependency index was calculated based on the following factors and weights:
- Annual miles driven per person (50%): Annual vehicle-miles traveled divided by the state population.
- Workers who commute by car (30%): The percentage of workers who commute by car, truck, or van.
- Number of passenger vehicles per person (10%): Number of privately-owned automobiles divided by the state population.
- Adults 16+ with a driver’s license (10%): The total number of licensed drivers in the state divided by the population 16 and over. In some instances, the resulting statistic slightly exceeded 100%. This could be the result of certain residents moving out-of-state and not yet transferring their license. For the purpose of this analysis, we capped these values at 100%.
The data used was sourced from the following reports and surveys:
- Vehicle-miles traveled, vehicle registrations, and driver’s license statistics are from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.
- Commuting statistics and population estimates are from the U.S. Census Bureau 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates.
Being car-dependent likely means your car insurance rates are higher than typical. Enter your ZIP code into our online quote generator to find the cheapest rates in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is car dependency?
Car dependency refers to the extent to which people rely on personal vehicles to meet their transportation needs.
Which cities in the US are the most car-dependent?
The most car-dependent cities are generally found in the southern part of the US, while the least car-dependent cities are generally found on the West Coast or in the Northeast.
How can we reduce car dependency?
Reducing car dependency can be achieved through a combination of strategies such as improving public transportation infrastructure, encouraging active transportation (such as biking and walking), and creating more walkable and bikeable communities.
What are the negative impacts of automobile dependency?
The negative impacts of automobile dependency include increased traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as decreased physical activity levels and increased risk of traffic accidents.
Does car dependency impact car insurance rates?
Yes, car dependency can impact car insurance rates. States with higher car dependency may have higher car insurance rates due to higher risk of accidents and other factors. It’s important to compare car insurance rates in your area to find the best deal.
What is the car-dependency index?
The car-dependency index is a composite index based on factors such as annual miles driven per person, workers who commute by car, number of passenger vehicles per person, and adults 16+ with a driver’s license. It is used to measure the extent of car dependency in each state.
What are the most car-dependent states?
The most car-dependent states are Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Indiana, and Wyoming.
What are the least car-dependent states?
The least car-dependent states are generally found on the West Coast or in the Northeast, and include New York, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.