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Car cost per mile calculator
The sticker price is the down payment on the real cost.
Gas or electricity is only part of driving cost. Add insurance and maintenance to see your true all-in cost per mile — the number that matters for delivery gigs, reimbursement, and buy-vs-keep decisions.
Results
All-in cost per mile
$0.00
Fuel + insurance + maintenance
Fuel cost per mile$0.00
Fuel per year$0.00
Insurance + maintenance / yr$0.00
All-in per year$0.00
All-in per mile$0.00
Miles per year$0.00
Delivery and rideshare drivers: compare your all-in per mile against what the gig actually pays per mile.
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Fuel is often the minority
On a typical 12,000-mile year, a 28-mpg car at $3.50/gallon burns $1,500 in fuel — exactly matched by $1,500 insurance plus $600 maintenance in our example. Depreciation and financing (not modeled here) usually exceed all three. The per-mile number is what turns “my car is paid off so it's cheap” into a real comparison.
When per-mile cost decides things
Gig work, the IRS standard mileage rate, lease mileage limits, and keep-vs-replace decisions all run on cost per mile. If your all-in number is above the IRS rate (~70¢/mile in recent years), driving for work is costing you more than the tax code assumes.
EV vs gas on this page
Toggle the powertrain to compare: EVs usually win on fuel per mile (especially home-charged) and maintenance, while insurance can run higher. For a full ownership comparison including purchase price, pair this with the gas vs EV calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost per mile to drive?
A typical gas car runs 50–75¢/mile all-in including fuel, insurance, and maintenance — before depreciation. Enter your numbers above for your exact figure.
How do I calculate cost per mile?
Add annual fuel, insurance, and maintenance, then divide by annual miles. ($1,500 fuel + $2,100 fixed) ÷ 12,000 miles = $0.30/mile.
Is the IRS mileage rate my actual cost?
Not necessarily — it's a national average for deduction purposes. Your real number may be higher or lower; this calculator finds yours.
Are EVs cheaper per mile?
Usually yes on fuel and maintenance — often 3–5¢/mile for home-charged electricity vs 10–15¢/mile for gas. Insurance can partially offset it.
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