Trades calculator

Per-Mile Cost Calculator

Estimate your gasoline vehicle's actual annual cost and cost per mile from editable assumptions. Compare it with the current IRS mileage reference without treating the two figures as equivalent.

Editable example inputs

Vehicle costs

The starting values are illustrations—not national averages. Replace every value with your own records or planning assumptions.

Annual ownership and other costs

Calculated result

Estimated actual vehicle cost

$0.71 / mi
Total annual vehicle cost ÷ annual miles driven
Annual fuel$1,875.00Annual miles ÷ MPG × fuel price
Annual maintenance & repairs$1,200.00
Annual tires$300.00
Annual ownership & other costs$7,200.00
Total annual vehicle cost$10,575.00
Operating cost / mi
$0.22 / mi
Fixed & annual cost / mi
$0.48 / mi
Tax/accounting reference

IRS optional mileage rate

$0.76 / mi
Jul 1–Dec 31, 2026

$0.725/mile applied Jan 1–Jun 30, 2026. The IRS rate is not your actual vehicle cost, a guaranteed reimbursement, or an automatic tax deduction.

Numeric difference: actual estimate − current IRS reference−$0.06 / miThis difference is not savings, profit, reimbursement, or a tax benefit.

Tax-method eligibility and switching rules vary based on vehicle ownership or lease circumstances and choices made in earlier years. Do not assume you can freely choose the larger result every year. Review IRS Topic No. 510 or consult a qualified tax professional.

Optional work-rate comparison

Amount remaining after modeled vehicle costs

Work miles / year
25,000
Remaining / mile
$0.80 / mi
Annual amount remaining
$19,875.00

Gross work amount minus modeled vehicle cost only. This is not profit, take-home pay, reimbursement, or taxable income. It excludes labor, platform fees, income and self-employment taxes, and other business expenses.

Methodology & sources

How the estimate works

Formula

Annual fuel = annual miles ÷ MPG × fuel price. Maintenance and tires are entered per mile and multiplied by annual miles once. Annual ownership and other costs are added once. Estimated actual cost per mile = total annual vehicle cost ÷ annual miles.

Included and excluded

Includes only the entered gasoline, maintenance, tires, insurance, registration/taxes, interest, depreciation, tolls/parking, and other vehicle costs. This gasoline model does not calculate EV electricity. It excludes loan principal, labor, income taxes, platform fees, and any unentered expense.

IRS source

IRS Announcement 2026-11 and IRS Standard Mileage Rates: $0.725/mile Jan 1–Jun 30, 2026; $0.76/mile Jul 1–Dec 31, 2026. Last verified August 27, 2026. The rate is an optional tax/accounting reference, not a measure of your actual vehicle economics.

Help

Frequently asked questions

No. The IRS optional standard mileage rate is a tax and accounting reference. It is not a measurement of your vehicle's actual operating economics, a guaranteed reimbursement, or an automatic deduction. This calculator estimates actual cost from the values you enter.