How Much Americans Spend on Their Daily Commute

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

If you spend $2600 out of pocket then your gross is probably closer to $4k, before deductions.

It's true that to pay for things we just sort of have to buy anyways, we usually have to earn that much more FIRST, then pay our taxes, and then pay for the thing that is more or less a necessity.

I was running some numbers on financial ROI (return on investment) of a 5,000 watt PV photovoltaic solar system. While people have generally thought of solar as expensive, using it to power an electric vehicle really brings down the cost and speeds up the investment return.

For example. If I drive 1000 miles a month in a 25 MPG car, that's 40 gallons of gas per month, 480 gallons per year. At $2/gallon, that's $960, at $4/gallon, that's $1920. But if you are in a 30% tax bracket, you have to earn $2742.86 to buy that gas.

The solar system I'm looking at would be $10-$12,000. Minus various incentives, it could get down as low as $6,000. $6K/$2742.86 = 2.187 years of fuel.

So, seriously, in what a person spends in fuel, you could buy yourself a solar system and drive an electric car - FOR FREE.

[jamesqf]

Makes me so glad I'm not an average American. $0 commuting cost, unless you count the internet connection. Even that would only amount to something under $600/yr.

But that's nothing to the cost of what some people choose to commute in. Was visiting friends this evening, and caught the tail of a pickup commercial: "...only $41,995!" I doubt I've spent that much on vehicles in my life - and that's including the airplane.

[freebeard]

It's true that to pay for things we just sort of have to buy anyways, we usually have to earn that much more FIRST, then pay our taxes, and then pay for the thing that is more or less a necessity.

It's always kind of bugged me that people pay taxes on their gross income and businesses pay on the net.

A lot of people lose money just getting to work.

[The Other Andy]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

No idea how much I spend, but it's probably about that. I have to stop Saturday night and Wednesday night on my way home and get something drink. After falling asleep at the wheel twice, I think a .99¢ soda justifies keeping me awake, and alive.

This is how much I spend a year in gas: $1,147. My commute is 420 miles a week (give or take 100 miles). I calculated it based on 65mpg at 3.70 a gallon.

From someone with a ton of late night driving under his belt (and used to work third shift, God I'm glad I'm done with that), the most important things to keep you awake (in order):

1. Getting enough sleep in the first place (well duh)
2. Staying hydrated
3. Food
4. Lastly, caffeine. Its importance is really overstated. I find that stopping and getting a snack does far more to help keep me awake than getting coffee or soda.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

From someone with a ton of late night driving under his belt (and used to work third shift, God I'm glad I'm done with that), the most important things to keep you awake (in order):

1. Getting enough sleep in the first place (well duh)
2. Staying hydrated
3. Food
4. Lastly, caffeine. Its importance is really overstated. I find that stopping and getting a snack does far more to help keep me awake than getting coffee or soda.

The soda is a snack for me. Especially something on the larger side like the 32oz from shell. It's about keeping my mind busy so I will stay awake. When I'm constantly picking up and putting it down to take a drink = mind busy = not tired anymore. It's great. Although I'm not drinking soda anymore so I need to find something to replace it.

[Insight for life]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Although I'm not drinking soda anymore so I need to find something to replace it.

Great job! I have been off of soda for 4 years now, feel much better without it, + it saves me money.