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Category Finance & Calculations

System:

Imperial (mi, $, gal) Metric (km, €, L)

Commute Parameters

One-way Distance (mi)

Avg. Traffic Speed (mph)

Includes traffic delays and stops.

Vehicle & Financials

Fuel Efficiency (mpg)

Fuel Price ($/gal)

Wear & Tear ($/mi)

Daily Parking/Tolls ($)

Hourly Wage (Opportunity Cost) ($/hr)

Total Annual Cost

$0.00

Equivalent to 0 working days of income

⏱️

Time Lost (Year)

Sitting in traffic

⛽

Fuel & Wear (Year)

Direct expenses

Annual Cost Composition

Fuel/Parking Wear Opportunity

10-Year Projection

Over a decade, this commute will consume $0 and 0 days of your life.

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About

Commuting is often the single largest uncalculated expense in a professional's life. It is not merely a function of time and distance; it is a compound drain on wealth involving direct vehicle depreciation, fuel consumption, and the critical economic concept of Opportunity Cost.

This tool goes beyond simple duration estimates. It utilizes a multi-factor model to quantify the True Cost of Commuting (TCC). By factoring in maintenance coefficients (tires, oil, general wear), fuel efficiency, and your personal hourly value, we reveal the actual price you pay for your location. For an average worker, a 45-minute commute can effectively reduce gross income by 15-20% when all hidden costs are annualized.

Formulas

The Total Annual Commute Cost (C_total) is derived from the sum of Direct Costs (C_dir) and Opportunity Costs (C_opp) over a standard 52-week year.

C_total = W_weeks × D_freq × {

2dMPG × P_fuel + 2d × C_wear (Direct)2dv_avg × R_wage (Opportunity)

Where d is one-way distance, P_fuel is price per gallon/liter, C_wear is maintenance cost per unit distance, and R_wage is the hourly effective wage rate.

Reference Data

Vehicle Type	Avg. Efficiency	Maint. Cost/Unit	CO₂ Avg
Sedan (Economy)	30 mpg	$0.08/mi	250 g/mi
SUV / Truck	18 mpg	$0.12/mi	410 g/mi
Electric (EV)	3.5 mi/kWh	$0.03/mi	0 (Direct)
Motorcycle	50 mpg	$0.05/mi	180 g/mi
Hybrid	50 mpg	$0.07/mi	150 g/mi

Frequently Asked Questions

The Wear & Tear coefficient (default $0.08/mile) accounts for tire replacement, oil changes, brake pads, fluid flushes, and general mechanical depreciation proportional to mileage. It does not include fixed costs like insurance or registration, which are paid regardless of mileage.

Opportunity Cost represents the income you effectively "lose" by spending time driving instead of working or investing in yourself. We calculate this by multiplying your total commute hours by your hourly wage. While you don't write a check for this amount, it represents the economic value of your lost time.

We use a standard 52-week calendar year for consistency. However, you can adjust the "Days per Week" input to account for holidays or hybrid work schedules (e.g., set to 3 or 4 days if you work from home part-time).

Yes. Switch the vehicle mode to EV. The calculator effectively swaps "MPG" for "Miles per kWh" (or km/kWh) and uses electricity price instead of gas price. The maintenance coefficient is also automatically lowered to reflect fewer moving parts in EVs.