Georgia is the most expensive state to operate a motor vehicle and Oregon is the cheapest, according to a report from Bankrate.com. Bankrate — which factors in the costs of repairs, gasoline, insurance, taxes and fees — says a typical driver in Georgia spends $4,233 a year to operate his or her vehicle. That is almost double the cost in Oregon ($2,204). The national average is $3,201.
Georgians spend a lot of time in their cars due, in part, to Atlanta’s sprawling communities and a lack of public transportation. Those long commutes lead to above-average gasoline costs and insurance rates. Additionally, Georgia has the highest state automobile taxes and fees in the nation.
California ($3,966), Wyoming ($3,938), Rhode Island ($3,913) and Nevada ($3,886) round out the five most expensive states.
Meanwhile, Oregonians benefit from the absence of a state sales tax as well as relatively low car insurance costs. Also, the typical Beaver State resident drives 16 percent fewer miles than the national average.
Alaska ($2,227), South Dakota ($2,343), Montana ($2,660) and Indiana ($2,698) join Oregon among the five cheapest states.
Click here to view the findings from all 50 states.
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