Cost Per Mile Formula:
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The Driving Cost Per Mile Calculator helps you determine the total cost of operating your vehicle per mile driven. It accounts for major expenses including gas, insurance, depreciation, and maintenance to give you a comprehensive view of your vehicle's operating costs.
The calculator uses the following formula:
Where:
Explanation: This calculation provides a comprehensive view of your vehicle's operating costs by dividing the total expenses by the miles driven.
Details: Understanding your cost per mile is essential for budgeting, comparing transportation options, calculating business expenses, and making informed decisions about vehicle ownership and usage.
Tips: Enter all cost values in dollars and total miles driven. For accurate results, use consistent time periods (e.g., monthly or annual costs and mileage). All values must be positive numbers, and miles must be greater than zero.
Q1: What time period should I use for the calculations?
A: You can use any consistent time period (monthly, quarterly, annually), but make sure all costs and mileage correspond to the same period.
Q2: How do I calculate depreciation?
A: Depreciation is the difference between your car's purchase price and its current market value, divided by the time you've owned it.
Q3: Should I include loan payments?
A: Loan payments consist of both principal (which reduces depreciation) and interest. For accuracy, you might want to separate these components.
Q4: What other costs could I include?
A: You might also consider registration fees, taxes, parking costs, tolls, and car washes for a more comprehensive calculation.
Q5: How does this help with financial planning?
A: Knowing your cost per mile helps you budget for transportation, compare the cost of different vehicles, and make informed decisions about when to repair vs. replace a vehicle.