Commute cost calculator
Your drive to work in fuel per day, month and year, plus a monthly gas budget that includes errands and a buffer for price swings.
How the commute and budget numbers are worked out
yearly fuel = 2 × one-way distance × days/week × weeks ÷ MPG × price
The monthly budget adds your other weekly driving (×52 ÷ 12 weeks per month) and a 10% cushion, since pump prices can move that much within a few months. Put the budget in a separate account or on a dedicated card to see how close you come. The fuel log will show your real monthly spend over time.
Ways to cut commute fuel
- Shift your hours. Stop-and-go traffic hurts mileage. Leaving 20 minutes earlier can mean steadier speeds.
- Carpool. Two people sharing halves each person's fuel cost; the trip calculator splits it for you.
- Check tyre pressure monthly. FuelEconomy.gov estimates properly inflated tyres improve mileage by up to about 0.6% on average, and more when tyres are well under-inflated.
- Compare transit honestly. Weigh a monthly pass against fuel plus parking, and the running costs from the cost per mile calculator.
Ask about your commute
An AI assistant reads the figures above and answers in plain English. It only runs when you press the button; the calculator works without it.
Questions drivers ask
How do I calculate my commute cost?
Round-trip distance × workdays ÷ MPG × gas price. A 22-mile each-way commute, 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year, in a 30 mpg car at $3.75 is 10,560 miles, 352 gallons and $1,320 a year in fuel.
How much should I budget for gas each month?
Add your commute miles to your typical weekly errands and weekend driving, convert to gallons with your MPG, multiply by the price, and add a 10% buffer for price swings. The monthly figure above includes your extra driving.
Does working from home one day a week save much?
One fewer commuting day cuts commute fuel by 20% on a five-day week. The calculator shows the saving for the days you enter.
Is my commute tax deductible?
In the US, ordinary commuting between home and a regular workplace is not deductible and is not covered by the IRS business mileage rate.