Commute Calculator
Calculate the true annual cost of your daily commute including fuel, time, and wear on your vehicle.
Formula
Total cost = fuel + vehicle wear + (time × hourly wage)
- Fuel = annual miles ÷ mpg × gas price.
- Vehicle wear uses a per-mile cost (IRS rate: ~18 cents/mile beyond fuel).
- Time cost = commute hours × hourly wage rate.
25 mi commute, 250 days, 28 mpg
Inputs
- One-Way Distance: 25 mi
- Commute Days per Year: 250
- Fuel Economy: 28 mpg
- Gas Price: 3.5 $/gal
- Vehicle Wear Cost: 18 ¢/mi
- Your Hourly Wage: 25 $/hr
- One-Way Commute Time: 35 min
Annual miles = 12,500. Fuel = $1,563. Wear = $2,250. Time = 292 hrs × $25 = $7,292. Total ≈ $11,105.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in vehicle wear?
Maintenance, tire wear, and depreciation — roughly 18 cents per mile beyond fuel.
Why include time cost?
Commute time is time not spent working, sleeping, or with family — it has real economic value.
Does this include parking or tolls?
No — add those to the fuel cost for a more complete picture.
How do I reduce commute costs?
Consider remote work, carpooling, public transit, or moving closer to work.