robmcl

From today's Chicago Tribune. There is another thread started where we have been debating the merits of the IRS reimbursement figure but I thought I would start another one so more people see this article.




Commuting costs continue to multiply


Published March 29, 2007


Don't need a few cups of caffeine this morning.

Simply consider the message delivered by the AAA to open the eyes wide.

If you commute by car, the AAA says, you spend about $62 for every 100 miles you travel.

Just one sobering thought in the AAA's just-released "Your Driving Costs" study, which calculates the annual cost to own and operate a car based on its size.

The 2007 results reveal that you have to dip into pocket or purse for 50.5 to 81.5 cents for every mile you travel based on 10,000 miles of driving annually.

That's $5,050 to $8,150 a year, no small sum.

The AAA bases its figures on costs for gas, oil, tires and maintenance, along with insurance, financing, depreciation, license, registration and taxes.

It says that those who drive a small car, such as a Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra or Toyota Corolla, will spend that 50.5 cents a mile, or $5,050 a year, to own and operate that car in 2007. That's unchanged from 2006.

Those who opt for a midsize sedan such as a Chevy Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry, will spend 61.8 cents a mile, or $6,180 a year. That's down less than a penny a mile from $62.4 cents, or $6,240, it cost a year ago.

Drivers of full-size sedans -- Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300 Ford Five Hundred, Nissan Maxima or Toyota Avalon -- will spend 74.2 cents a mile, or $7,420 a year, up from 72.9 cents, or $7,290, in 2006.

Mini-van owners -- think Chevy Uplander, Dodge Caravan, Ford Freestar, Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna -- get off easier. They will spend 69.2 cents a mile, or $6,920 a year, down from 71.3 cents a mile, or $7,130 a year in 2006.

But not those with SUVs such as a Chevy TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Nissan Pathfinder. It will cost them 81.5 cents a mile, or $8,150 a year, up from 79 cents, or $7,900, in 2006.

"As a rule, costs went down a bit because gas prices went down a bit, though those in big cars and especially SUVs didn't realize a savings because their gas mileage isn't very good," said Mike Calkins, manager of approved auto repair and author of the report.

Gas costs were based on a $2.25 a gallon national average in the fourth quarter of last year. In the Chicago area, it's running about $2.64 now, according to the AAA.

"We felt $3 a gallon last summer was an aberration and don't expect to see it reach that level again this year," Calkins said.

As if spending from $5,050 to $8,150 isn't tough enough to take, the figures don't include parking or tolls.

keytree

Using those figures broken down into average monthly costs, for less than what many people would spend in a two-month period on their 4-wheeled WMD, I was able to buy a good commutin` bike and a year`s worth of bus passes. Luckily, I haven`t owned or driven one of the foul beasts in seven years. What a racket.

UmneyDurak

Umm they under estimated the price of gas. IMHO. It's around 3.20 here, and it's not even summer yet. I am expecting it go over 3.50 and maybe even in to 4 bucks by the end of the summer.

Psydotek

'Effin aye...

However, it may not be as bad as they say depending on your situation. My car is paid off and i plan in driving it to the death so my annual cost i'm estimating at $4000-4500 a year. However, in the past 4 years i drove about 20-25k miles a year (which i'm really hoping to bring down to around 15k annually since i started bike commuting this year). That comes out to be about 16-25 cents per mile for me.

HardyWeinberg

Gas >$3 here now too. I saw the safeway bump their prices 3 times before lunch earlier in the week!

mihlbach

Hell, driving seems cheap compared to what a lot of roadies spend per mile on their OCP gear.

mtnwalker

I saw on the news 2 days ago that there was a gas station in San Fran selling regular unleaded for $3.99 and the station across the street was $3.11 and people were going and paying for the higher price . It makes you wonder whats in people's minds sometimes.

Eatadonut

Move out of the land of fruits and nuts. 2.40 here. Air tastes better, too.

DataJunkie

Maybe. Maybe not.
Roadies get to keep their gear for quite a while. However, once the gas is used a motorist is left with.... nothing.

cyccommute 

Youse guys are getting hosed out there. Look here for nationwide gas prices

rajman

My god! Gas prices according to the map seem to correlate inversely with states that voted Republican in 2004! OMG call the conspiracy people - this is news

Seriously, though, I liked the map.

here and there

Gas here is running around $3.15 for regular unleaded, ugh. At the moment I'm not commuting by bike, but out of my 5 work days, 4 of them are on the bus/trolley. It's approximately 15 miles to work, so a 30 roundtrip X 4 days a week = 120 miles per week. Assuming the $62 per 100 miles driven, I'd be one unhappy driver. Heck, my bus/trolley pass costs me $60 a month with unlimited rides! The only thing I give up is 45 minutes of sleep and about 90 minutes of my free time (the amount of time using public transportation adds vs. driving.)