Driving
Cost per mile
Total cost includes fuel and every other cost attributable to the journey.
The Formula
cost per mile = total cost / miles
Total cost includes fuel and every other cost attributable to the journey.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| c | Cost per mile | currency per mile | Effective cost of each mile driven. |
| C | Total cost | currency | Fuel plus tolls, parking and wear. |
| m | Miles | miles | Distance driven. |
What Each Symbol Means
ccurrency per mile
Cost per mile
Effective cost of each mile driven.
Ccurrency
Total cost
Fuel plus tolls, parking and wear.
mmiles
Miles
Distance driven.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate a cost per mile 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 A Cost Per Mile, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.