U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
Fact #365: March 28, 2005
The Cost of Driving a Car
The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports each year on the average cost of owning and operating a car. The estimation includes vehicle depreciation, insurance, maintenance, fuel costs, tires, license, registration, taxes, and finance charges. Of the 56-cent estimate for 2004, only 6.5 cents, or 11.6%, is for gasoline and oil. The graph below shows the cost per mile with historical data adjusted for inflation.
Annual Driving Costs, 1994–2004 
*Methodology revised by the American Automobile Association
Note: All other costs include maintenance, tires, vehicle depreciation, insurance, license, registration, taxes and finance charges.
Data for historical years adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.
Supporting Information
Annual Driving Costs, 1994–2004
| Year |
Cost per Mile
(constant 2004 cents) |
Gas and Oil Share |
| 1994 |
48.9 |
11.8% |
| 1995 |
49.7 |
11.7% |
| 1996 |
50.0 |
10.9% |
| 1997 |
51.4 |
12.1% |
| 1998 |
52.0 |
11.1% |
| 1999 |
51.9 |
9.8% |
| 2000 |
52.5 |
11.6% |
| 2001 |
53.0 |
13.2% |
| 2002 |
51.3 |
9.7% |
| 2003 |
51.7 |
11.6% |
| 2004* |
54.7 |
11.6% |
|
*Methodology revised by the American Automobile Association
Other costs include maintenance, tires, vehicle depreciation, insurance, license, registration, taxes and finance charges.
Source: American Automobile Association, "Your Driving Costs," and previous annual editions. |
Return to 2005 Facts of the Week
|