What this calculator does
A daily commute adds up. Enter how far you drive, how often, your car's fuel economy, the gas price and any parking, tolls and other costs per mile, and the calculator shows what driving to work costs in a day, a month and a year. Add the price of a monthly transit pass to compare, and see how many hours a year you spend commuting.
How it is worked out
Miles a year = distance one way × 2 × days a week × weeks a year. Fuel = miles ÷ miles per gallon × gas price. Parking and tolls = cost a day × workdays. Other costs = miles × the amount per mile you enter for tires, oil changes and repairs. Example: 15 miles each way, 5 days a week for 48 weeks is 7,200 miles. At 28 miles per gallon and $3.10 a gallon, fuel costs about $797; with 10 cents a mile for other costs, the year comes to about $1,517, or about $6.32 a workday. Thirty minutes each way adds up to 240 hours a year.
Ways to cut the cost
- Ask your employer about pre-tax commuter benefits for transit passes and work parking.
- Carpool or work from home some days if you can.
- Compare the yearly total with a transit pass; the calculator shows the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Can I deduct my commute on my taxes?
No. The IRS says the cost of driving or taking transit between your home and your main or regular place of work is a personal commuting expense, no matter how far you travel (IRS Publication 463).
Where does the gas price come from?
You can type your local price, or press the button to use the latest weekly U.S. average for regular gasoline from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Why aren't my car payment and insurance included?
You pay them whether you drive to work or not, so they do not change with the commute. Add them yourself if you would not have a car without the commute.
Is my information saved?
No. The numbers stay on this page.