Driving
Annual commuting distance
Twice the one way distance, times commuting days per week, times commuting weeks per year.
The Formula
D = 2 x m x d x w
Twice the one way distance, times commuting days per week, times commuting weeks per year.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Annual miles | miles/year | Distance driven commuting in a year. |
| m | One way distance | miles | Distance from home to work. |
| d | Days per week | days/week | Number of commuting days in a normal week. |
| w | Weeks per year | weeks/year | Number of weeks actually commuted, net of leave and holidays. |
What Each Symbol Means
Dmiles/year
Annual miles
Distance driven commuting in a year.
mmiles
One way distance
Distance from home to work.
ddays/week
Days per week
Number of commuting days in a normal week.
wweeks/year
Weeks per year
Number of weeks actually commuted, net of leave and holidays.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate commute cost page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Commute Cost, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.