Average miles driven per year

[WannaGo]

I looking towards getting out of the race and finding a way along the trail. I'm considering many options for moving accommodations better know as a rig. With all the possible options out there is a fast difference in fuel mileage ranges going from 6 mpg to 18 mpg. This makes for a big budget crusher depending on the mpg of the rig and actual miles being driven. I do not have the knowledge to set an average distance traveled and have been working with 10,000 to 18,000 miles a year. 18K seems a bit high and appears to be a lot of traveling and less exploring. I'm thinking 15 day stays and moving along but not far with a Pheidippides trip twice a year. Think Montana to anywhere warmer with sun shine.

I am certain miles traveled varies for everyone and was hoping to get some feed back from experienced wanderers what their averages were. I would think this to be a valuable bit of knowledge for anyone new to traveling for it assists in planning a year and monthly expenses for us uninformed ones. Sort of a mty (Miles Traveled Year) spread. Some will be high, some will be low, and it's the average I seek, and will probably go. (poetic me) So, if you have an idea what passed under your wheels over a years time it would be wonderful insight to the rubber tramp world. If you have multiple years - like the first year I went nuts and drove around the planet then settled down between a few states that would also help.

Thanks for your help in advance,
Another disillusioned soul seeking a new path

 

[MrNoodly]

I'm one of those itchy feet people, on the move after a day of two. However, I did spend three summers hanging in one town with friends. My winter range is limited to southeast California and southwest Arizona, and sometimes Baja. That said, I average about 25k miles a year, which is probably high compared to others here. I'm in a standard cargo van and get 16-17 mpg.

 

[WannaGo]

I'm one of those itchy feet people, on the move after a day of two. However, I did spend three summers hanging in one town with friends. My winter range is limited to southeast California and southwest Arizona, and sometimes Baja. That said, I average about 25k miles a year, which is probably high compared to others here. I'm in a standard cargo van and get 16-17 mpg.

Thanks - there goes any thought of 6 mpg out the window! 16/17 seems better to wallet. I figured it would be lower and did not think itchy feet traveled that far and wide. 68 miles per day you would be a traveling man - then again a little over an hour on the road. Do you take long trips or daily runs to the store 34 miles each way can add up?

 

[WannaGo]

Just for reference here is a chart of average mileage from the Federal Highway Administration. Assuming these are mostly people living in a humble stationary abode.

Age......Male......Female......Total
16-19....8,206......6,873.........7,624
20-34....17,976.....12,004......15,098
35-54....18,858.....11,464......15,291
55-64....15,859......7,780.......11,972
65+.......10,304.....4,785........7,646
Average..16,550.....10,142......13,476

 

[Van-Tramp]

I get 12-13 mpg and drove about 12-15k per year when fuel prices were at their highest. It really played vaery little to an annual budget (a few hundred of the year) so I stopped worrying about it.

Roughly $200-250 for each 1000 miles driven at current fuel prices at my MPG.

 

[WannaGo]

Thanks another input is welcome

 

[lenny flank]

I average about 3-400 miles a month, roughly--so around 4-5000 miles per year.

That is because I spend around a month in each city to see all the sites, then drive to the next city. While in town, I take the local bus system everywhere I go (though of course there are usually a few places I wanna see that the bus doesn't go to, so I usually drive a little bit anyway.)

When I'm out in the West, I drive a bit more because the cities are further apart. When I am back East, the cities are closer and I drive a bit less.

 

[MrNoodly]

Do you take long trips or daily runs to the store...?

I usually stock up on the way to somewhere else. For example, I drove about 175 miles today and stopped at a store before heading to my new boondocking site. However, two days ago I drove 10 miles to a mechanic and ten miles back. Other times I've made 150 mile roundtrips to a major city to get things the small town stores don't have. There have been times I was camped in the desert and had a craving for the ocean, so I'd drive there, stay two or three days, then drive back. For me the main point of the nomadic life is to go where I want when I want, even if I'm backtracking all over and driving in circles.

 

[WannaGo]

I average about 3-400 miles a month, roughly--so around 4-5000 miles per year.

That is because I spend around a month in each city to see all the sites, then drive to the next city. While in town, I take the local bus system everywhere I go (though of course there are usually a few places I wanna see that the bus doesn't go to, so I usually drive a little bit anyway.)

When I'm out in the West, I drive a bit more because the cities are further apart. When I am back East, the cities are closer and I drive a bit less.

Thank you for sharing - I'm hoping for more woods, water and seclusion. I accept the many different interests people can have and each is a valid as an-other's. I did expect 5K a year and can see with your choices how that now works.  I'm in the North East and my dreams are in Montana and south. I'm in country somewhat but a few million people are not to far away.

I think it's wonderful that people are taking the time and offering insights to there mpy and
providing the process of how, why and where - sure is not what I expected. Thank you

 

[WannaGo]

I usually stock up on the way to somewhere else. For example, I drove about 175 miles today and stopped at a store before heading to my new boondocking site. However, two days ago I drove 10 miles to a mechanic and ten miles back. Other times I've made 150 mile roundtrips to a major city to get things the small town stores don't have. There have been times I was camped in the desert and had a craving for the ocean, so I'd drive there, stay two or three days, then drive back. For me the main point of the nomadic life is to go where I want when I want, even if I'm backtracking all over and driving in circles.

You sir, are a free soul! The the thought of circle driving make my head spin - in a good way.   I can see how the mileage gets applied with living by the seat of the van. So far you're in the upper end of mileage range. I'm certain some that travel Alaska to Arizona may pack on the mile markers do to the long shot journeys. Spending my life as a lab rat it's going to take some rethinking to get out of the maze I've been wandering.

 

[lenny flank]

 my dreams are in Montana and south

I spent 2 weeks in Billings and 2 weeks in Bozeman. Had a great time.  

Things to see:

Museum of the Rockies
Little Bighorn Battlefield
Pompeys Pillar
Pictograph Cabve
ZooMontana

 

[lenny flank]

I think it's wonderful that people are taking the time and offering insights to there mpy and
providing the process of how, why and where - sure is not what I expected. Thank you

We are mostly a helpful and friendly bunch, mostly. Though like all families we take the occasional potshot to grit on each other.  

 

[WannaGo]

I spent 2 weeks in Billings and 2 weeks in Bozeman. Had a great time.  

Things to see:

Museum of the Rockies
Little Bighorn Battlefield
Pompeys Pillar
Pictograph Cabve
ZooMontana

Sounds like some interesting spots and will surly keep my mind active. I love to fish so I'm thinking Fort Peck Dam, Flat Head, Hungry Horse and Koocanusa, and so many smaller ones, plus the many rivers and streams. I like hammock camping as well so those mountain trails sure do call to me.O h the plans I have if I can break the chains.

 

[WannaGo]

We are mostly a helpful and friendly bunch, mostly. Though like all families we take the occasional potshot to grit on each other.  

I'll make sure to tuck my tail till I figure out who does the potshots. LOL I'm of the mind set of trying to help, causing no harm, life vest inside and make the world a better place by starting with me.

 

[rvwandering]

Our average over the last 8 years has been around 16,000 (9.5 MPG) but I think we are on the top end for most vandwellers. That mileage includes a trip to Alaska and a trip to Newfoundland plus we usually make a cross country run every year because our daughter lives in Seattle and our legal address, along with many friends and family, is in Pennsylvania. The cross country trip is rarely a straight shot though because our style of traveling is to ramble around to see the sights. We usually drive somewhere every day, mostly under 20 miles and rarely more than 100, but we will stay in the same spot for week or two when visiting people or attending a gathering.

 

[wmyers4u]

I haven't fledged yet so take this with a grain of salt.

My plan (which will likely change) once I liquidate and fly is to budget travel costs. If I can afford $100 a month for gas that's how far I'll go. I want to meander from TN to the west coast based on what I want to see along the way at a pace my fuel budget and curiosity allows.

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Live it.

 

[WannaGo]

Our average over the last 8 years has been around 16,000 (9.5 MPG) but I think we are on the top end for most vandwellers. That mileage includes a trip to Alaska and a trip to Newfoundland plus we usually make a cross country run every year because our daughter lives in Seattle and our legal address, along with many friends and family, is in Pennsylvania. The cross country trip is rarely a straight shot though because our style of traveling is to ramble around to see the sights. We usually drive somewhere every day, mostly under 20 miles and rarely more than 100, but we will stay in the same spot for week or two when visiting people or attending a gathering.

Ah-ha! 8 year average of 16K with Alaska, Newfoundland and Pa thrown in - you sure like to see the ends of the continent. I'm thinking this is what I have in my mind - a bit of a trip to somewhere unique once a year then hang around and get to know the place with good weather. I was considering the 15 day stays and bopping down the road 20 to 30 miles covering an area to get get to know it's treasures. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to look back over the years. I'm starting to realize how much mpg can mean in over the road costs - small numbers big impact. Freedom to move about can have a cost depending on the trade offs one wishes to make. This is helping me internalize why I should be swaying towards 18 mpg as I think that's the upper end of Van - truck camper mileage and I'm guessing 9.5 is pretty good for most Rv's. I'm also thinking of tire longevity and maintenance costs needed depending on miles covered. At 16K a year - it's 160K in ten years so a 20 year transport should be fine if it's maintained.

 

[WannaGo]

I haven't fledged yet so take this with a grain of salt.

My plan (which will likely change) once I liquidate and fly is to budget travel costs. If I can afford $100 a month for gas that's how far I'll go. I want to meander from TN to the west coast based on what I want to see along the way at a pace my fuel budget and curiosity allows.

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Live it.

I think it is possible to go on $100/month seems the magic is to have $300 but this all depends on transport. A prius and your covered really well a large Rv not so much. I'm postulating my thoughts on $3.00 /gallon and have been swaying towards a 18 mpg solution to allow as much freedom as possible without to many trade offs. I always reserve some % for hills and headwinds in mileage but hope for the average to balance out.

$100...   33.3 gallon  @18 mpg Range 599.94 miles seems very doable and relaxed just like you said
$300... 100 gallon     @18 mpg Range 1,800 Allows for a lengthy trip or two, spur of the moment change in scenery

Seems BobW gives $300 budget for fuel give or take and it's looking like a good target as I get more feed back. I'm thinking if I can plan for this and not use it it's better than not planning and needing. I also accept how people see things differently and figure out what's best for them.

 

[travlinman and wife]

Trip from ten to az ,cal in January, febuary and back to ten 11,200

 

[WannaGo]

Please take this kindly and laugh with me. You maybe the odd migration bird traveling east to west! All the other birds are north to south or up to down! Maybe a pole shift is occurring and you are more magnetically inclined. Sorry it was to good a thought train... Your accomplishing the same objective in a different way that I did not consider. Given the twist it shows great insight to that path length. Thank you for sharing the knowledge.