To figure your fuel cost, begin with a full tank of fuel and write down the odometer reading. Each time you fill up, note the number of gallons, how much you pay and the odometer reading. These figures can then be used to calculate average miles per gallon and cost of fuel per mile. For example:

Gas cost per mile
Gallons	Cost*	Odometer
beginning		8,850
12.4	$28.52	9,136
9.5	$21.85	9,355
15.7	$36.11	9,717
37.6	$86.48	9,717
	-	8,850
	miles driven =	867

Miles per gallon: 867 ÷ 37.6 = 23.1 mpg
Gas cost per mile: $86.48 ÷ 867 = 10 cents
* cost per gallon $2.30

To determine your driving costs accurately, keep personal records on all the costs listed below. Use this worksheet to figure your total cost to drive:

Annual cost per mile
operating costs		yearly totals
gas and oil per mile	x
total miles driven
total gas	+ +
maintenance
tires
total operating costs
ownership costs
depreciation	+ + + +
insurance
taxes
license and registration
finance charges
total ownership costs	+
other costs (washes, accessories, etc.)
total driving costs	÷
total miles driven
cost per mile

Next: Driving Costs >>