How Much Americans Spend on Their Daily Commute
 

Americans Spend $2600 a Year on Their Commute

But it appears to me that respondents simply reported their answers and without record-keeping, who knows how accurate they are.

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.

My bike seldom needs air, let alone tires and I have an LTD Honored Rider card that lets me ride free; but every spare cent I get goes to keeping a car (or getting a 2nd one) on the road. It seems like the insurance (that runs whether the car is racking up miles or not) costs more than gas.

And I don't even have a job.

Doesn't your fuel log tell you how much you spend?

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

regards
mech

Now I live about 4 miles for work.
So how much I spend driving to work falls way down on the list of stuff to worry about.

When you really add in everything like maintenance, insurance and depreciation, I'm a lot closer to that $2,600 than I'd like to be. My skimming of the article doesn't appear to include those vital aspects. Especially if you compare driving vs public transportation or riding a bike.

Last year I spent $1650 on fuel alone. This year so far I've spent $400, so I estimate $800 for this year. Awesome decrease due to more fuel efficient vehicles, lower gas prices, and driving less.

Insurance is around $470/yr. This is pretty consistent.

Maintenance varies.

I would bet it's higher then that. Are they counting the cost of the car itself? Judging by all the newer cars I see in the morning commute they are losing more then that is car depreciation alone. Add maintenance, wear items, repairs, insurance, to the cost of the gas and I bet it on average is higher then people guess in a survey.

Edmonds lists a 2014 v6 Accord at $44,000 for 5 years and a common Tahoe at $54,000 for 5 years.