Free per-mile cost tool

Driving Cost Calculator — True Cost Per Mile

What does each mile really cost you? Combine fuel, depreciation, insurance and maintenance into one honest per-mile number.

All-in per mile IRS rate compare Trip costing 100% free

Calculate Your True Cost Per Mile

The number the IRS uses — personalized.

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Your true cost per mile
$0.00
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Per 100 mi
$0
Per month
$0
Per year
$0
Fuel per mile$0.00
Fixed costs per mile$0.00
A 500-mile trip costs you$0
The IRS standard mileage rate (about $0.70/mi) is the government’s estimate of all-in driving cost — a useful benchmark for your number.

What Is the True Cost Per Mile of Driving?

Most drivers guess $0.15–$0.20 (just gas). The real all-in number for an average car is $0.60–$0.85/mile — fuel is only ~20% of it. Depreciation, insurance and financing dominate, which is why driving less saves less than people expect on fuel alone but more than they expect overall.

Fixed vs Variable Costs

  • Variable (~$0.15–$0.25/mi): fuel, tires, per-mile wear. These scale with driving.
  • Fixed (~$0.40–$0.60/mi): depreciation, insurance, interest, registration. You pay these parked in the driveway.

This split matters: cutting 2,000 miles/year saves mostly variable costs (~$400), not the full per-mile rate. But skipping a car entirely eliminates the fixed costs too.

Use Your Number

  • Trip decisions: a 500-mile drive at $0.72/mi = $360 true cost vs flying.
  • Reimbursement: compare your employer’s rate against your true cost.
  • Car choice: a $0.10/mi difference = $1,200/year at 12k miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IRS mileage rate?

The IRS standard mileage rate (around $0.70/mile in recent years) is the government’s all-in estimate of driving cost, used for tax deductions and employer reimbursements. It rises with fuel and vehicle costs.

How do I calculate cost per mile?

Add all yearly car costs (fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, interest, tolls) and divide by miles driven. Include depreciation — it’s usually the biggest piece.

Why is my cost per mile so high?

Fixed costs spread over few miles. Driving 6,000 miles/year nearly doubles per-mile cost vs 12,000 — the car costs almost the same parked.

Does driving less save money?

Yes, but mostly variable costs (~$0.15–$0.25/mile). Fixed costs (insurance, depreciation, loan) continue regardless. Big savings come from needing one fewer car.

Should I include depreciation in cost per mile?

Yes — it’s real money you’ll never get back, and often the largest cost. Excluding it is why most people underestimate driving cost by half.

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