According to IHS Markit data, the average age of all light-duty vehicles in the U.S. was 11.8 years as of January 1, 2019, but the average age is not consistent throughout the United States. Light-duty vehicles in the West had an average age of 12.4 years in 2019, 1.5 years higher than the Northeast, which had a 10.9-year average age. Average vehicle ages in the Northeast and Southwest have been lower than the other regions since 2002. The average age for Midwest vehicles grew by 2.6 years from 2002 to 2019, to 12.0 years. IHS Markit indicated that the average vehicle age is rising due to improvements in technology and vehicle quality.
Graphic used with permission from IHS Markit.
Definition of Each Region in the IHS Markit Study
| Northeast | Southeast | Midwest | Southwest | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | West Virginia | Ohio | Texas | Colorado |
| Massachusetts | Virginia | Indiana | Oklahoma | Wyoming |
| Rhode Island | Kentucky | Michigan | New Mexico | Montana |
| Connecticut | Tennessee | Illinois | Arizona | Idaho |
| New Hampshire | North Carolina | Missouri | Washington | |
| Vermont | South Carolina | Wisconsin | Oregon | |
| New York | Georgia | Minnesota | Utah | |
| Pennsylvania | Alabama | Iowa | Nevada | |
| New Jersey | Mississippi | Kansas | California | |
| Delaware | Arkansas | Nebraska | Alaska | |
| Maryland | Louisiana | South Dakota | Hawaii | |
| Florida | North Dakota |
Source: IHS Markit, “Average Age of Cars and Light Trucks in U.S. Rises Again in 2019 to 11.8 Years, IHS Markit Says,” Press Release, Thursday, June 27, 2019.