Cost Per Mile to Drive Calculator
Cost per mile is the fairest way to compare cars, trips or jobs: take every dollar a car costs in a year and divide by every mile you drive. It folds fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and fees into one number you can line up against any other vehicle.
It is also the number to use when a trip, a side gig or a reimbursement is on the line. Enter your real annual costs and mileage and the calculator returns your cost per mile, per day and per month.
Calculator
Your cost per mile
$0.66
$8,848 per year
Per month
$737
Per day
$24.24
Cost breakdown
- Fuel$1,800 · 20%
- Insurance$2,098 · 24%
- Maintenance$1,200 · 14%
- Depreciation$3,500 · 40%
- Registration & fees$250 · 3%
Calculation Formulas
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Default mileage | 13,500 mi/yr | Approx. U.S. average per driver (FHWA). |
| IRS business mileage rate | reference point | The IRS standard mileage rate is a national average cost-per-mile estimate; your own number will differ. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: November 2026
- IRS standard mileage rate
A published per-mile figure meant to approximate the average cost of operating a vehicle; useful as a sanity check against your own result.
How to use this calculator
- Enter how many miles you drive in a typical year.
- Add your annual fuel, insurance, maintenance and registration costs.
- Optionally include yearly depreciation to capture the full cost of ownership.
- Read your cost per mile, plus the per-day and per-month equivalents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate cost per mile?
Add up everything the car costs in a year — fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and, ideally, depreciation — then divide by the miles you drive that year.
What is a typical cost per mile to drive?
For an average car and average mileage it often lands somewhere in the range of the IRS standard mileage rate, but a thirsty or fast-depreciating car can be far higher, and a paid-off economy car far lower.
Should I include depreciation in cost per mile?
For the full cost of ownership, yes. For out-of-pocket running cost only, you can leave it out. The calculator lets you include it or not.
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