Average Cost of Owning a Car

The average cost of owning a car is $10,728 per year or $894 per month, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA)’s “Your Driving Costs” report in 2022. This is a considerable increase of 11% from $805.5 per month or $9,666 per year in 2021. The actual expenses can vary based on several factors, such as the type of car, insurance and maintenance. They all play a role in the cost of owning a car. By knowing and understanding these factors prior to purchasing a vehicle, you can better determine if owning a car fits your budget.

The average cost of car ownership per year starts with the type of vehicle you drive. The bigger the vehicle, the more expensive it will be to maintain and fill the gas tank.

Note: Costs are calculated based on 15,000 miles driven annually

Source: American Automobile Association. Prices as of July 2022.

The cost of owning a car doesn’t end at auto loan payments and gas. There are a myriad of other expenses involved, such as insurance, license and registration fees, maintenance and more. Accounting for expected and unexpected expenses is vital to determining your car budget.

While it can be tedious work to determine your overall ownership costs, calculating the cost of owning a car can help you manage your finances and keep personal debt to a minimum.

Take a look at how to calculate the different costs of car ownership.

The cost of gas per mile can give you insight into how much you’re paying for gas. You can generate two outcomes: miles per gallon and cents per mile. This information can tell you how much to budget for gas when evaluating the cost of owning a car.

To calculate how many miles possible per gallon, take the total number of miles you’ve driven and divide that by the total number of gallons for a full tank.

To calculate the dollar amount, or cents per mile, simply divide the total cost of a full tank by the total number of miles driven.

Source: American Automobile Association Gas Prices. Average gas price as of August 30, 2023.

Using the table above as an example, assume you drove 867 miles and it takes 21 gallons to fill your tank. Following the miles per gallon formula, you can drive about 18 miles per gallon.

However, if you want to calculate the dollar amount per mile or the cents per mile, take the cost of a full tank and divide that by the total miles driven. In this example, assume that it costs $79.8 to fill your tank. If you drive 397 miles, the cost per mile is 20 cents.

Your operating costs, otherwise known as variable costs, are only incurred if you drive the vehicle. Typically, this includes your gas, maintenance and costs of repair (if applicable). To determine your fuel costs, calculate your vehicle’s cents per mile.

Operating costs are just one aspect of owning and driving a vehicle. There are additional costs associated with the responsibility of owning a car.

The cost of car ownership involves other fees and requirements to own and operate a car. This includes auto insurance, registration and license fees, taxes and any charges associated with your auto loan. Depreciation, which is the loss of your vehicle’s value every year, is another consideration. It can impact the resale value of your car if and when you decide to sell it.

Source: American Automobile Association

From 2012 to 2017, the average cost of car ownership showed a gradual decline, reaching its lowest in 2017 at $8,468. However, post-2017, there's a noticeable upward trend, culminating in a significant jump in 2022 to $10,729.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

The table showcases the yearly percentage change in car ownership costs:

• 2013 saw a modest increase of approximately 1.97% from the previous year.
• The years 2014 to 2017 observed a consistent decline, with the most significant drop in 2014 at around -2.70%.
• Starting from 2018, there's a clear upward trajectory. The year 2019 had an increase of nearly 4.89%, and 2020 and 2021 had smaller increments
• 2022 saw the most substantial increase of 10% to $10,728 from $9,666 in 2021.

This substantial growth, especially in recent years, can be attributed to various factors. The escalating gas prices, as highlighted in the article, play a significant role. The sharp increase in 2022 underscores the impact of these heightened gas prices on the overall cost of owning a car.

From 2012 to 2017, the per-mile cost of car ownership displayed a steady decline, dropping to its lowest in 2017 at 0.56 cents per mile. However, starting from 2018, there's a clear upward trend, with 2022 witnessing a significant increase to 0.72 cents per mile.

This rise in per-mile costs, especially in recent years, can be attributed to factors such as the pivotal role of gas prices in determining the overall cost of owning a car. The surge in 2022 emphasizes the influence of the unprecedented heights in gas prices on the per-mile cost of ownership.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

The costs of car ownership can be confusing for first-time car buyers. Read the frequently asked questions below to get a better understanding.

Managing the costs of owning a car is not always easy, especially considering how expenses include more than the price of the car and gas. Review other MoneyGeek resources below to inform your auto budgeting.

• First-Time Car Buyer's Guide: Get the Right Car for the Right Price: Buying your first car is an exciting milestone, but weighing which kind of car to buy, when to buy and where to buy it is challenging. MoneyGeek can help you anticipate costs and determine how to make the best decision for you.
• Ultimate Guide to Purchasing a Used Car: It's fun to visualize yourself in a new (or brand-new-to-you) car, but you don’t want to end up making the wrong decision. MoneyGeek can help you determine what to look for when buying a used car.
• The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies & Quotes: Purchasing auto insurance is a must, but if you’re on a budget, you’ll want to opt for the lowest offer. Review MoneyGeek’s lineup of the most affordable auto insurance companies available.
• Do You Need Auto Insurance Before Buying a Car?: Before you drive off the lot with your new car, you must purchase auto insurance if you don't already have it. Many people wait until signing on a car to get car insurance, but it's better to compare coverages well in advance.
• Used Car Insurance: Everything You Need to Know: If you’re looking to find the most affordable insurance for a used car, review this guide from MoneyGeek. Find out how to buy used car insurance and how to get the lowest price.