Cost to Drive 50 Miles

Short Bus · Post by **Short Bus** » Mon. Jul. 30, 2012 11:52 am

Just a few thougths on driving cost, 1/2 ton truck.

30,000 truck 150,000 miles .20 mile or 10 $ per 50 miles
1,100 tires 40,000 miles .027 mile or 1.37 $ per 50 miles
20 mpg 4.25 $ per gallon .21 mile or 10.6 $ per 50 miles
100 $ service 5000 miles .02 mile or 1 $ per 50 miles
1,400 $ ins. 10,000 miles per Y .14 mile or 7 $ per 50 miles

.60 cents per mile, or 30$ for 50 miles

There are several problems with this example and it needs refining, fixed costs like insurance and buying a vehicale may not belong in per mile analysis.
Tire cost per mile supprised me.
Service costs and repair costs are certainly higher than 100$/5000 miles.
I drive 150 miles one way to the grocery store ect, so I get several miles per year
This is just a starting point.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Jul. 30, 2012 2:10 pm

Well ain't you just being cheerful today. I don't even want to throw farm equipment in there anywhere.

sterling40man · Post by **sterling40man** » Mon. Jul. 30, 2012 8:51 pm

Short Bus wrote:I drive 150 miles one way to the grocery store

HOLY S*%T!!!

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Tue. Jul. 31, 2012 7:06 am

Don't forget title & registration, taxes, interest , license.... You are on the right track, but I think you need to add a bit more for maintenance.... brakes, alternator, air & fuel filters, etc. Bump up to $.65 a mile & I think you'll be close to the national average.

I think the inflation adjusted cost per mile cost is much cheaper now than back in the good ol' days. Tires never used to go more than 10 or 15,000 miles. Spark plugs, less than 10,000 miles. Oil changes needed to be done every 2,000. Exhaust systems only lasted 3 years. Back in 1970 my Dad figured fifty cents a mile. Gas was $.33 a gallon and minimum wage was $1.60!

Short Bus · Post by **Short Bus** » Wed. Aug. 01, 2012 2:58 am

Yes service cost is higher, but the problem is you don't need brakes, alternator, and radiators in the first 100,000, well maybe brakes. I guess that is the hard part most vehicals will go 100,000 now fairly easily, it's that service cost between 100,000 and 200,000 that start to climb, but the importance of the initial cost drops off.

coalnewbie · Post by **coalnewbie** » Wed. Aug. 01, 2012 6:01 am

I don't even want to throw farm equipment in there anywhere.

Ford 8N --- free
Fixing faulty resistor ---- free
Teslas original Bush hog ---- nearly free
Horse rides to town ..... free
Looking after the young generation - a fortune -- been there, done that one. I am still paying!

Fresh air and the outdoor life ---- worth a fortune.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Wed. Aug. 01, 2012 6:52 am

I didn't say it was a big throw, but still a throw--1 qt gas per month on the 8N, hay & grain on the horses, catty 9 tails for kids, it don't never end----worth a fortune???? You betcha

steamup · Post by **steamup** » Wed. Aug. 01, 2012 6:15 pm

The IRS allows $.50 per mile re-imbursement without considering it income. This would be ok for a car but you are going to lose money with a truck.

I have been looking at trucks. Got a used Ford ranger last year. Good little truck but decided it was too little and with the six cylinder only gets 18 mpg avg.

1/2 ton truck for $30,000 that gets 20 MPG and lasts 150,000 miles is tough statistics. That has to be a low mileage or stripped new truck with a small 6 in it.

I have been looking. Now where do you get a 1/2 ton new or low mileage truck for $30,000 that gets 20 mpg? Maybe a basic 2wd truck, but try to get something in 4wd for more people and to haul a load, it will haul a load out of your wallet and only get 18 mpg on the average.

Try for a 4wd in a super or extended cab with tow package and you end up with a $35,000 starting sticker and prices go up from there with features.

Find a good price for a used truck and you better have cash or they will try to hose you on the trade.

Oh well, I'll just keep looking and dreaming. The economy isn't as good as they claim from my point of view.