Driving
Total annual commute cost
Fuel plus the daily parking and toll charges, each scaled by the number of commuting days.
The Formula
C = F + d x w x (k + t)
Fuel plus the daily parking and toll charges, each scaled by the number of commuting days.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Total annual cost | USD/year | Everything the commute costs in a year. |
| F | Annual fuel cost | USD/year | What the commute costs in fuel over a year. |
| k | Parking per day | USD/day | Daily parking charge at the destination. |
| t | Tolls per day | USD/day | Daily tolls on the route. |
What Each Symbol Means
CUSD/year
Total annual cost
Everything the commute costs in a year.
FUSD/year
Annual fuel cost
What the commute costs in fuel over a year.
kUSD/day
Parking per day
Daily parking charge at the destination.
tUSD/day
Tolls per day
Daily tolls on the route.
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.