The average age of household vehicles has increased from 6.6 years in 1977 to 9.2 years in 2009. Pickup trucks have the oldest average age in every year listed. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs), first reported in the 1995 survey, have the youngest average age.

Average Vehicle Age by Vehicle Type
Image

Supporting Information

Average Vehicle Age by Type of Vehicle
Vehicle Type197719831990199520012009
Car6.47.27.68.29.09.3
Van5.58.55.96.77.68.7
Pickup7.38.58.49.710.110.9
SUVn/an/an/a6.76.57.3
All household vehicles6.67.67.78.38.99.2

n/a = not available.
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1977, 1983, 1990 and 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Surveys, public use files. 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Surveys.

 

Return to 2010 Facts of the Week