(InvestigateTV) — The average cost of a gallon of regular grade gas is $3.03, according to AAA, meaning the cost of long holiday roads trips can quickly add up.
But Alex Gailey, an analyst with Bankrate, said gas prices aren’t the only thing that impacts travel costs.
Bankrate examined how much Americans spend on gas, and while states like California and Washington are known for high prices at the pump, Gailey pointed to another often-overlooked factor: average annual mileage.
Bankrate analyzed data from AAA and the Federal Highway Administration and found that Americans in more affordable states actually spend more on gas on average.
“The states where drivers are spending the most on gas annually are likely states like Indiana, Wyoming, Missouri, Georgia, Mississippi. These are all states that are generally considered affordable states, places to live,” Gailey pointed out. “But when it comes to gas costs, they tend to be on the …