Car Cost Per Mile Calculator

What this calculator tells you

Most drivers know what an order pays but not what a mile costs them. This tool adds fuel, maintenance, depreciation and insurance into one number, then shows the minimum pay that covers your costs and your target hourly wage for the time the trip takes.

Why cost per mile is higher than gas alone

Fuel is only part of it. Tires, oil, brakes and repairs scale with miles, and so does depreciation. Insurance is a fixed monthly cost, but spreading it over your miles shows how much of it you carry on every trip. Drivers who count only gas often think a job pays far better than it does.

How to use the minimum payout

• Include the empty miles to the pickup in the trip distance.
• Reject offers that pay less than the table suggests, unless a nearby second order makes up for it.
• Compare your cost with the IRS standard rate. If your real cost is far below it, the mileage deduction is generous. If it is above, check your numbers.

For tax purposes you use the standard mileage rate (or actual expenses), not this figure. See the mileage deduction calculator for the tax side.

Frequently asked questions

What is a typical cost per mile for a car?

It depends on the car, fuel prices and how much you drive. Your own figures matter more than any average, which is why this tool uses your numbers.

Should I include depreciation?

Yes, if you want your real cost. A car loses value with each mile you drive, even though you do not pay it out of pocket every week.

Is this the same as the IRS mileage rate?

No. The IRS rate is a tax deduction that approximates the cost of operating a car. Your real cost can be higher or lower.

Why include my target hourly pay?

Because miles are not the only cost. Your time has a price too, and the minimum pay should cover both.

Sources

• IRS: 2026 business standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile (Dec. 29, 2025)
• IFEBP: IRS raises the 2026 business mileage rate to 76 cents from July 1, 2026
• IRS Publication 463: Travel, gift, and car expenses

Estimates only, not tax advice. See our disclaimer.

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