How to use this calculator
How the commute math works
We double your one-way miles to find the daily round trip. Daily miles times commute days per week times work weeks per year equals annual commute miles. Fuel cost is annual miles divided by MPG, multiplied by price per gallon. Added maintenance, tires and depreciation are calculated per mile, then parking and tolls are added for each commute day.
Why include wear and tear?
Ignoring maintenance, tires and depreciation understates the cost of driving. These costs matter more when you put many extra miles on a vehicle, particularly if tires and repairs are expensive. However, there is no universal per-mile rate that fits every car, so the fields are editable estimates rather than authoritative defaults.
How to use it for a decision
Try different numbers of commute days to see the impact of working from home one or two days each week. Compare a shorter route, carpooling or a more efficient vehicle. To compare a completely different vehicle, use our EV vs. gas calculator for a broader ownership picture.
Limits
This tool does not value your time, incorporate fixed insurance premiums, or model the cost of buying a replacement vehicle. Depreciation is inherently uncertain, especially on older or unusual vehicles.
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