Monthly Car Running Cost

$
$
$
$
$
km
Finance Updated 16 Jun 2026

See what your car really costs you each month. Add up fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking and tolls, plus any loan payment, and this calculator gives your total monthly and annual running cost — and your cost per kilometre driven.

Formula

Total Monthly = Fuel + Insurance + Maintenance + Parking/Tolls + EMI Cost per km = Total Monthly / Monthly km
  • Total monthly cost simply adds up every recurring car expense you enter.
  • Annual cost = total monthly cost × 12.
  • Cost per kilometre = total monthly cost ÷ kilometres driven that month — handy for comparing cars or deciding whether a trip is worth driving.
  • Leave the loan EMI at 0 if the car is paid off, so the figure reflects pure running costs.
  • Fuel's share of the total shows how much your driving habits (versus fixed costs) drive your spending.

Typical monthly car costs

Inputs
  • Monthly Fuel Cost: 180 $
  • Monthly Insurance: 100 $
  • Monthly Maintenance: 60 $
  • Parking & Tolls: 30 $
  • Car Loan EMI: 0 $
  • Monthly Distance: 1500 km

Adding fuel ($180), insurance ($100), maintenance ($60) and parking/tolls ($30) gives a total of $370/month, or $4,440/year. Over 1,500 km that's about $0.25 per kilometre, with fuel making up roughly 49% of the total.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a car running cost?
Every recurring expense of keeping the car on the road: fuel, insurance, maintenance and servicing, parking, tolls, and any loan repayment. Depreciation is a real cost too but isn't included here.
Why is cost per kilometre useful?
It turns your total spending into a single rate you can compare between cars, or use to judge whether a long drive is cheaper than other transport.
Should I include my car loan payment?
Include it if you want your true monthly outlay. Leave it at 0 to see only the cost of running a car you already own outright.
How can I cut my running costs?
Drive more efficiently to save fuel, compare insurance quotes, keep up with maintenance to avoid bigger repairs, and combine trips to reduce kilometres.
Does this include depreciation?
No. This focuses on cash you spend each month. To capture the full cost of ownership, add the car's loss in value over time as well.