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Cost of Driving Calculator

What Does It Really Cost to Drive?

Fuel is only part of it. Add maintenance and wear to see the true cost per mile, per trip, and per year.

Free · No signup · Private · Instant results

The drive

Cost of this trip

Trip total
$8.86
40 miles
Fuel for the trip
$4.86
Wear for the trip
$4.00
All-in cost per mile
$0.221

Over a year

Per month
$221
Per year
$2,657
IRS rate reference ($0.67/mi)
$8,040
What you could deduct/reimburse for business miles
Driving this route costs about $9 each time and $2,660 a year at your mileage. Fuel is only $0.121/mile of the $0.221 true cost.

Estimates are based on the information you provide and are intended for comparison purposes only. Results do not include income taxes and do not guarantee actual compensation. This tool is not financial advice.

How it works

  1. 1

    Describe the trip

    One-way distance and whether it's a round trip.

  2. 2

    Add your car's numbers

    Fuel economy, gas price, a per-mile maintenance estimate, and any tolls or parking.

  3. 3

    See per-trip and annual cost

    The true cost per mile, the cost of this trip, and the yearly total at your mileage.

Fuel is only part of the cost

It's easy to think of a drive as costing only gas. But every mile also wears down tires, brakes, and the engine, and adds to depreciation. A common estimate for this running cost is $0.08–$0.20 per mile — often as much as the fuel itself.

This calculator adds fuel and running cost together for a true cost-per-mile, then applies it to a single trip and to your yearly mileage.

The IRS mileage rate as a benchmark

The IRS standard mileage rate (about $0.67 per mile) is what the government considers the full cost of operating a car for business, including insurance and depreciation. It's shown here as a reference — if your own estimate is far below it, you may be undercounting wear.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to drive per mile?

For a typical gas car, roughly $0.20–$0.40 per mile once fuel, maintenance, and wear are included. Enter your MPG, gas price, and a per-mile maintenance estimate for a personalized figure.

What should I use for maintenance and wear per mile?

A conservative figure is $0.08–$0.12 per mile for a reliable modern car; older or luxury vehicles run higher. This covers tires, fluids, brakes, and repairs spread over the miles they last.

How is this different from the commute cost calculator?

The commute cost calculator is built around a work schedule — office days per week and weeks per year. This one costs any drive: a single trip and your total annual mileage.

Does this include insurance and registration?

Not as separate line items. Those are mostly fixed yearly costs; fold them into your per-mile figure if you want an all-in ownership number, or compare against the IRS rate shown.

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