The prices of new vehicles can shock many buyers, and a report shows that Georgia has the highest hidden costs for owning a car. According to Bankrate, drivers in Georgia pay an average of $8,249 a year for expenses like car insurance, taxes, fuel, and maintenance. Georgia has high average vehicle taxes, insurance costs, and maintenance fees. Although gas prices are relatively low, long commutes and limited public transport mean Georgians spend more on fuel, averaging over 17,500 miles driven per year, which is above the national average.

Many consumers focus on loan or lease payments but may not consider other expenses, such as insurance and fuel. Bankrate found that Georgia drivers’ hidden costs are nearly double those in New Hampshire, the state with the lowest hidden costs at $4,299. The national average for the hidden costs of car ownership is $6,684.

In Georgia, the average insurance premium for full coverage is $2,562, exceeding the national average. Although full coverage is optional, many drivers choose less coverage and still pay more for minimum coverage than the U. S. average. Bankrate advises drivers to explore insurance quotes and choose fuel-efficient cars to manage costs better.