True Cost Per Mile to Drive Calculator
Add up fuel, maintenance, depreciation and insurance to find what every mile really costs you to operate your car for gig work.
Your numbers
Total cost per mile
$0.33
to operate your car
Annual operating cost
$10,043
Fuel cost per mile
$0.12
Insight — Most gig drivers dramatically underestimate this number because depreciation is invisible — the car silently loses value every mile. A typical sedan runs $0.30–$0.55 per mile all-in, which is exactly why your per-mile pay rate matters more than the fare total.
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Typical range: all-in operating cost commonly lands around $0.30–$0.55 per mile for an average car (AAA's annual 'Your Driving Costs' study is in this ballpark), with depreciation — not fuel — usually the single largest component on newer vehicles. Your figure depends on the inputs above.
Good to know
Clear, practical answers about the cost per mile calculator.
What is a typical cost per mile to drive?＋
For an average gas car, all-in operating costs (fuel, maintenance, depreciation and insurance) commonly fall between $0.30 and $0.55 per mile. Larger SUVs and trucks run higher; efficient compacts and many EVs run lower. Your exact number depends on fuel economy, how fast the car depreciates and your insurance.
Why include depreciation if I'm not paying it in cash?＋
Because every mile lowers your car's resale value, which is real money you lose when you eventually sell or replace it. Ignoring depreciation makes gig work look more profitable than it is. It's often the biggest cost per mile on a newer vehicle, even bigger than fuel.
How does this compare to the IRS mileage rate?＋
The IRS standard mileage rate is a flat allowance meant to approximate these same costs for tax purposes. This calculator builds the number from your actual figures, so you can compare your true cost against the IRS rate and see whether your car is cheaper or pricier than average to run.
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