Commute cost calculator
Find out how much your daily drive to work really costs.
How commute costs add up
Most people underestimate how much they spend on their daily commute. A 25-mile one-way commute at 28 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon costs about $6.25 per day — that's over $1,625 per year just in fuel, not counting wear, insurance, or parking.
The calculator above doubles your one-way distance to account for the return trip, then breaks the cost down across daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly totals.
Ways to lower your commute cost
- 🚗 Carpool. Splitting gas with even one coworker cuts your fuel cost in half.
- 🏠 Work from home when possible. Even 1 day/week saves 20% on commute costs.
- ⏰ Avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go traffic can reduce your MPG by 15–30%. Flexible hours save fuel.
- 🛣️ Take the highway route. Even if it's slightly longer in miles, steady highway speeds usually use less fuel than city streets with lots of stops.
- 🔋 Consider a more efficient vehicle. Upgrading from 20 MPG to 40 MPG cuts your annual commute fuel cost in half — use our comparison tool to see the difference.
The true cost of a longer commute
Fuel is just part of the picture. The IRS standard mileage rate of $0.70/mile (2025) accounts for gas, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and tires. At that rate, a 25-mile each-way commute costs over $18,200/year in total vehicle costs — something worth factoring in when choosing where to live or work.