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Commute Cost Calculator

See the real yearly price tag on your commute — often much bigger than it feels day to day.

One-way distance (miles)

Cost per mile ($)

Commute days per week

Weeks per year

Annual cost

4,680

Cost per mile can include gas, maintenance, and depreciation — the IRS standard mileage rate is a common estimate to use.

What you entered

One-way distance (miles): 15Cost per mile ($): 0.65Commute days per week: 5Weeks per year: 48

1
Round-trip distance
15 × 2= 30 miles
2
Annual commuting cost
30 × $0.65 × 5 days/wk × 48 weeks= $4680

Result

Annual cost: 4,680

Commuting 15 miles each way, 5 days a week for 48 weeks costs about $4680 a year.

Yearly commute cost by one-way distance, at two cost-per-mile rates

Each row assumes driving 5 days a week for 50 weeks a year (250 commuting days), with the round trip counted both ways. The fuel-only column uses $0.15 per mile, roughly what gas alone costs a car doing 22 mpg at $3.30 a gallon. The full-cost column uses the 2024 IRS standard mileage rate of $0.67 per mile, which also covers maintenance, tires, insurance and depreciation.

One-way distance (mi)	Round trip (mi)	Yearly cost at $0.15/mi (fuel only)	Yearly cost at $0.67/mi (full cost)
5	10	$375	$1,675
10	20	$750	$3,350
15	30	$1,125	$5,025
20	40	$1,500	$6,700
25	50	$1,875	$8,375
30	60	$2,250	$10,050
40	80	$3,000	$13,400
50	100	$3,750	$16,750

Illustrative figures. Tolls, parking, congestion charges and the value of your time are all excluded, and your real cost per mile depends on your vehicle, fuel prices and how quickly it depreciates. To reproduce any row in the calculator, enter the one-way distance, set cost per mile to 0.15 or 0.67, and use 5 days per week and 50 weeks per year. The calculator defaults to 48 weeks, which gives a figure about 4 percent lower.

What 'cost per mile' should include

A per-mile cost that only counts gas underestimates the real cost — the IRS standard mileage rate (67 cents/mile for 2024) also factors in maintenance, depreciation, insurance, and tires. Use that rate for a more realistic total, especially when comparing commuting to public transit or remote work.

Worked example: a 25-mile commute

25 miles each way = 50 miles/day. At $0.67/mile, that's $33.50/day. Working 5 days a week for 50 weeks gives 250 work days × $33.50 = $8,375/year — not including tolls or parking. Most people guess their commute costs about half of what it actually does.

Comparing commute to housing cost

A $500/month cheaper apartment 20 miles further out may cost $400+ more in commuting annually. When choosing where to live, add commute cost to rent before comparing — the 'cheap' suburb isn't always cheaper once you factor in gas, wear, and time.

Hidden costs beyond fuel

Beyond gas, commuting costs include tire wear (~4 cents/mile), oil changes, brake pads, depreciation (the biggest single cost for newer cars), insurance premiums (higher mileage = higher rates), and parking fees. Time spent commuting also has an opportunity cost — an hour each way is 500+ hours/year.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my commute cost per year?

Multiply your round-trip distance by cost per mile, then by the number of work days per year. For example: 30 miles round trip × $0.67/mile × 250 days = $5,025/year. The IRS standard mileage rate ($0.67 for 2024) is a good estimate because it includes gas, maintenance, and depreciation.

What is the average commute cost in the US?

The average American commute is about 28 miles round trip. At the IRS rate, that's roughly $4,700/year in vehicle costs alone — not counting tolls, parking, or the value of time. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates total driving costs at 60–80 cents/mile depending on the vehicle.

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transit?

It depends on your distance and city. A 30-mile round trip by car costs roughly $5,000/year at the IRS rate. A monthly transit pass in most US cities runs $75–$150/month ($900–$1,800/year), making transit significantly cheaper in most cases — though it may take longer.

Should I include depreciation in my commute cost?

Yes — depreciation is typically the single largest cost of driving, especially for newer vehicles. A car losing $3,000/year in value over 12,000 miles costs 25 cents/mile in depreciation alone. The IRS standard mileage rate already includes this, so use that for a realistic estimate.