The Cost Per Mile Formula
Cost Per Mile = Total Annual Vehicle Costs ÷ Annual Miles Driven
Why Include Depreciation
Depreciation is often the largest — and most overlooked — cost of vehicle ownership. Including it gives you a true "all-in" cost per mile, rather than just out-of-pocket cash expenses, which is important for comparing against mileage reimbursement rates or ride-share earnings.
Comparing to the IRS Standard Mileage Rate
The IRS publishes an annual standard mileage rate (used for tax deductions and often referenced for reimbursement) that estimates the average all-in cost per mile for a typical vehicle — comparing your own calculated cost per mile against this rate can reveal whether your specific vehicle costs more or less than average to operate.
Uses for This Calculation
- Deciding if a mileage reimbursement rate from an employer is fair
- Evaluating whether ride-share or delivery driving is actually profitable after vehicle costs
- Comparing the true cost of driving versus other transportation options