Commute Cost Comparison Calculator

Commuting costs are often the second or third largest household expense after housing and food, yet most people only consider fuel costs when thinking about their commute.

True driving costs per mile (US, 2026):

The IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents a mile to June 30, 2026 and 76 cents from July 1, and it is built to cover fuel, insurance, depreciation, maintenance, and tires. At 72.5 cents, a 20-mile one-way commute (40 miles round trip) is $29.00 a day, or $7,250 a year over 250 working days.
That rate is for business driving, and a commute is not deductible, but it is still the fairest single figure for what a mile in your own car costs.

Public transit averages:

• Monthly pass: $50–150 in most US cities
• Annual cost: $600–1,800
• Savings vs driving: typically 50–80%

Biking costs:

• Bike purchase (amortized over 5 years): $10–30/month
• Maintenance: $10–20/month
• Total: $20–50/month or $240–600/year
• Savings vs driving: 90%+

Ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft):

• Average cost: $1.50–2.50 per mile
• A 10-mile commute: $15–25 each way
• Monthly (20 work days): $600–1,000
• Generally the most expensive option for daily commuting

Hidden driving costs people miss:

• Parking: $0–500/month depending on city
• Tolls: can add $50–200/month on toll routes
• Wear and tear: each mile costs roughly $0.10–0.15 in maintenance
• Stress and time: sitting in traffic has measurable health costs

Hybrid approach: Many people find the best value in combining methods. Drive to a park-and-ride, take transit for the last few miles. Bike in good weather, drive in bad weather.

Time is money: Factor in your hourly rate. If driving saves 30 minutes per day over transit but costs $300 more per month, and your time is worth $25/hour, the time savings are worth $250/month, making driving nearly break-even.