Commute Calculator
Commute Calculator
How We Calculate
Enter your one-way distance in miles, commuting days per week, and transport mode. This tool annualizes the same round trip over 52 weeks using fixed costs, speeds, and CO2 assumptions. It does not retrieve your fares, vehicle costs, route, or traffic conditions.
- Annual distance = one-way miles × 2 × days per week × 52.
- Annual cost = annual miles × the selected cost per mile.
- Annual time in hours = annual miles ÷ the selected speed in miles per hour.
- Annual CO2 in kilograms = annual miles × grams of CO2 per mile ÷ 1,000.
The 52-week assumption does not subtract holidays, leave, or weeks without travel. Costs are displayed to two decimal places, distance to whole miles, and CO2 to one decimal place. Time is displayed in hours and minutes.
Transport Mode Assumptions
These are the exact fixed values used by the calculator. Speeds, emissions, and non-car costs are model assumptions, not verified local averages or current transport fares. They cannot be edited in this form.
| Mode | Cost ($/mile) | Speed (mph) | CO2 (g/mile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 0.76 | 30 | 404 |
| Bus | 0.25 | 12 | 140 |
| Train | 0.30 | 35 | 100 |
| Bicycle | 0.05 | 12 | 0 |
| Walk | 0 | 3.5 | 0 |
The car cost uses the IRS business mileage rate of $0.76 per mile, effective July 1–December 31, 2026, checked September 28, 2026. The calculator applies that rate to an entire 52-week scenario as a cost benchmark. It does not prorate the two 2026 rates or calculate a calendar-year tax deduction.
The car rate is a broad cost benchmark, not a fuel-only price or a measurement of your expenses. There are no separate inputs for fuel, parking, tolls, insurance, or vehicle occupancy. The output does not determine tax eligibility; see the IRS guidance on business use of a car.
Worked Example
Choose Car, 15 miles one way, and 5 days per week.
- Distance: 15 × 2 × 5 × 52 = 7,800 miles.
- Cost: 7,800 × $0.76 = $5,928.00 (displayed as $5928.00).
- Time: 7,800 ÷ 30 = 260 hours (displayed as 260 hr 0 min).
- CO2: 7,800 × 404 ÷ 1,000 = 3,151.2 kg (displayed as 3151.2 kg).
These are reproducible results from the stated assumptions. Actual costs, journey times, and emissions can differ. The CO2 estimate is not a full lifecycle footprint; zero values for walking and cycling do not account for manufacturing, infrastructure, or other indirect emissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it account for traffic or waiting time?
No. It divides distance by a fixed speed. There is no traffic, timetable, transfer, or waiting-time input.
What if I use multiple transport modes?
Calculate each one-way leg separately with its own mode and commuting days, then add the results. Each calculation already includes a return trip; do not enter a round-trip distance in the one-way field.
Can I model carpooling, an electric car, or a transit pass?
There are no separate inputs for these cases. Carpool cost sharing, vehicle-specific emissions, and pass prices are not included in this calculator. Compare the assumptions with your actual arrangements before relying on the estimate.