Commute Cost Calculator
Find out what getting to work really costs. Enter your distance and fuel economy (or your train or bus fare), add parking and tolls, and see the cost per day, month and year, plus how many hours a year you spend commuting.
Last updated:
Tires, oil, depreciation. Leave 0 to count fuel only (about 0.10 per mile is a common estimate).
If you buy a monthly pass, enter it here; fares are then ignored.
52 minus vacation and holidays (48 is typical).
For example your hourly wage, to see the hidden cost of travel time.
How to use the Commute Cost Calculator
- Pick how you commute: car or public transit, and US or metric units.
- Enter the one-way distance, your fuel economy and fuel price, or your one-way fare or monthly pass.
- Add parking and tolls you pay on a typical day, plus wear and maintenance if you want the full cost of driving.
- Set your schedule: days per week, working weeks per year and one-way travel time.
- Read the results: monthly cost, cost per day, week and year, hours spent, and the hybrid-work comparison table.
Commute cost formula
Driving (US units): daily fuel cost = (one-way miles × 2) ÷ MPG × price per gallon.
Driving (metric): daily fuel cost = (one-way km × 2) × L/100 km ÷ 100 × price per liter.
Daily cost = fuel + wear (distance × cost per mile) + parking + tolls. For transit, daily cost = one-way fare × 2, or the monthly pass × 12 ÷ commuting days.
Yearly cost = daily cost × days per week × working weeks per year, and monthly cost = yearly ÷ 12. Using yearly ÷ 12 (instead of daily × 20 or 22) gives the true average month after vacations and holidays.
Example: 15 miles each way at 28 MPG and $3.50/gal → 30 mi ÷ 28 = 1.07 gal × $3.50 = $3.75 per day. With $10 parking the day costs $13.75; over 240 days that is $3,300 a year, or $275 a month.
Yearly fuel cost by distance (fuel only)
Fuel cost per year for a round-trip commute 5 days a week, 48 weeks (240 days), at $3.50 per gallon.
| One-way distance | 25 MPG | 35 MPG | 50 MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 miles | $336 | $240 | $168 |
| 10 miles | $672 | $480 | $336 |
| 15 miles | $1,008 | $720 | $504 |
| 20 miles | $1,344 | $960 | $672 |
| 30 miles | $2,016 | $1,440 | $1,008 |
| 50 miles | $3,360 | $2,400 | $1,680 |
Time spent commuting per year
| One-way time | Hours per year (240 days) | 8-hour workdays |
|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 120 h | 15 |
| 30 min | 240 h | 30 |
| 45 min | 360 h | 45 |
| 60 min | 480 h | 60 |
| 90 min | 720 h | 90 |
Tip: if your employer offers pre-tax commuter benefits for transit or parking, the real cost is lower by your marginal tax rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my commute cost?
Double the one-way distance to get the daily round trip, divide by your MPG (or multiply by L/100 km ÷ 100) to get fuel used, multiply by the fuel price, then add parking and tolls. Multiply the daily cost by commuting days per year (days per week × working weeks) and divide by 12 for the monthly cost.
What does a 20-mile commute cost per month?
A 20-mile one-way drive is 40 miles a day. At 28 MPG and $3.50 per gallon that is about $5.00 of fuel per day. Over 5 days a week and 48 weeks a year (240 days) it costs about $1,200 a year, or $100 per month in fuel alone, before parking, tolls and wear.
Should I include wear and tear?
Fuel is only part of the cost of driving. Tires, oil changes, repairs and the extra depreciation from more miles add a real cost per mile. Many people use 8 to 15 cents per mile for maintenance and tires. The IRS business mileage rate is higher because it also covers insurance and depreciation of the whole car.
How many working weeks are in a year?
A year has 52 weeks. After two to four weeks of vacation and public holidays most full-time workers commute about 46 to 49 weeks, so 48 is a sensible default. Use 52 if you work every week.
How much time do I spend commuting per year?
Multiply your one-way time by 2 and by the commuting days per year. A 30-minute each-way commute over 240 days is 14,400 minutes, or 240 hours, which equals 30 eight-hour workdays a year.
Is public transit cheaper than driving?
Often, especially once parking is involved. Compare the monthly pass with the car result including parking, tolls and wear. Switch the mode in this calculator to see both, and remember a car you keep only for commuting also costs insurance and depreciation.
How much does working from home save?
Use the hybrid table under the results: it shows the monthly and yearly cost and the hours spent for 1 to 7 office days per week, so you can see what each remote day saves.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.