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Actual cost

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
So people are always saying how expensive it is to fill up, but I've not really heard any real numbers.

My wife took a look at our account this month and figured out that between gas and tolls we spend about $350 - $400/month.

Keep in mind that we have two cars; an '01 Mazda Protoge which I commute to work in and a '98 Volvo XC which my wife drives around town (she doesn't work). I should add that I commute about 20 miles each way to and from work.

Only thing I can figure to cut cost is to buy a hybrid; I already get high gas mileage in the little Protoge. There sure as **** nothing I can do to reduce the toll costs I incur on a daily basis.

Sucks. What about you guys, what's the monthly damage?
 

buildyourown

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2004
4,832
0
South Seattle
I'm easily under $50/month for just my commute. Driving to ride is where I spend my money.


What about driving to a park and ride or using commuter rail? Are there any other options that would get you out of the tolls?
 

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
I'm easily under $50/month for just my commute. Driving to ride is where I spend my money.


What about driving to a park and ride or using commuter rail? Are there any other options that would get you out of the tolls?
I've mentioned it in other posts so I won't bore you with details but rail is not an option due to excessive time from points A to B and back.

It's just unbelievable how much money I spend just to get to work and back.
 

I Are Baboon

The Full Dopey
Aug 6, 2001
32,383
9,289
MTB New England
$900 or so on gas between the two of us. That's a rough estimate. We each drive 90 minutes round trip. She drives a Pathfinder and I drive an Outback.
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,031
7,550
Only thing I can figure to cut cost is to buy a hybrid; I already get high gas mileage in the little Protoge. There sure as **** nothing I can do to reduce the toll costs I incur on a daily basis.

Sucks. What about you guys, what's the monthly damage?
financially you can't beat running that Protegé into the ground. new cars, hybrid or not, are expensive and quickly depreciate. true story.

i haven't had a normal driving month in quite a while, but in my jan-feb 31 day statement period i spent $62.52 on gas, and this past march-apr period i spent $188.58. <-- this last month i had to commute twice every week to a city 40+ miles away for an away rotation. i'll be reimbursed for this mileage, however.
 

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,669
1,847
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
I'm afraid to add it up. My husband drive 34 miles roundtrip in a 2008 Chevy Silverado and I drive 70 miles roundtrip in a 2002 VW Jetta. We each fill-up once a week. Me =$52 (I have to run high test with the turbo) and him $90ish. :dead:
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
financially you can't beat running that Protegé into the ground. new cars, hybrid or not, are expensive and quickly depreciate. true story.

i haven't had a normal driving month in quite a while, but in my jan-feb 31 day statement period i spent $62.52 on gas, and this past march-apr period i spent $188.58. <-- this last month i had to commute twice every week to a city 40+ miles away for an away rotation. i'll be reimbursed for this mileage, however.
Agreed, it's not going to cost you less to buy a hybrid.
Get a used VW Golf Diesel, that'll fun forever, and like 50mpg!
 

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
Agreed, it's not going to cost you less to buy a hybrid.
Get a used VW Golf Diesel, that'll fun forever, and like 50mpg!
Diesel is more expensive than gas, so the costs would be offset I would think.

Also, when I say get a hybrid I'm thinking long term. Probably by the end of the summer we'll be getting rid of the Volvo, I'll give the wife the Mazda (oh dear god I hate this car) and get something for me. Obviously gas mileage will be a big factor.

So yeah we're keeping the Mazda but since we're going to need a new car soon...
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
Diesel is more expensive than gas, so the costs would be offset I would think.

Also, when I say get a hybrid I'm thinking long term. Probably by the end of the summer we'll be getting rid of the Volvo, I'll give the wife the Mazda (oh dear god I hate this car) and get something for me. Obviously gas mileage will be a big factor.

So yeah we're keeping the Mazda but since we're going to need a new car soon...
Yeah, but I don't think it's that much more. It'd be interesting to run the numbers, and see. But the car you have now gets decent mileage probably.
Thankfully my driving is pretty minimal, because the 22ish mpg I'm getting SUCKS!
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,940
13,134
Portland, OR
$70 a month in bus fare + $33 in coffee at Plaid Pantry (the bus stop is in front of the store).

Once the weather gets nicer, motorcycle 3 times a week will be $30 a month in premium.

The wife gets paid for mileage, so it's a push.
 

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
Yeah, but I don't think it's that much more. It'd be interesting to run the numbers, and see. But the car you have now gets decent mileage probably.
Thankfully my driving is pretty minimal, because the 22ish mpg I'm getting SUCKS!
Yeah, but it's good for the size of the car/AWD.
 

kingbee

Monkey
Mar 29, 2004
902
0
Ohio
I drive a whole 14 miles round trip to work and back. Im driving a lifted Jeep Cherokee that gets about 17mpg. Thats really the only time I drive it though. So I fill up every two weeks at about $60.

My wife drives a Focus that gets 30mpg+. I think she drives 30 miles round trip. But we drive her car for everything since its cheaper to drive. So Id say we fill her car up once a week at about $35.

In the end its around $250 a month. I could get a car that gets 30mpg, but I dont owe anything on the Jeep, and I have never had to do anything outside of regular maintenance. So its cheap to drive when you look at everything.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,940
13,134
Portland, OR
Diesel is more expensive than gas, so the costs would be offset I would think.
Please, do the math.

Unleaded = $3.50/gallon
Diesel = $4.25/gallon

unleaded car = 30mpg
diesel car = 50mpg

200 miles a month unleaded = $23.33
200 miles a month diesel = $17

<edit> B25 in my area is only $3.20 also, so it's a win/win
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
Please, do the math.

Unleaded = $3.50/gallon
Diesel = $4.25/gallon

unleaded car = 30mpg
diesel car = 50mpg

200 miles a month unleaded = $23.33
200 miles a month diesel = $17

<edit> B25 in my area is only $3.20 also, so it's a win/win
The cost of unleaded is a lot closer to diesel in my area too, so it's an even bigger savings...
 

dante

Unabomber
Feb 13, 2004
8,807
9
looking for classic NE singletrack
So people are always saying how expensive it is to fill up, but I've not really heard any real numbers.

My wife took a look at our account this month and figured out that between gas and tolls we spend about $350 - $400/month.

Keep in mind that we have two cars; an '01 Mazda Protoge which I commute to work in and a '98 Volvo XC which my wife drives around town (she doesn't work). I should add that I commute about 20 miles each way to and from work.

Only thing I can figure to cut cost is to buy a hybrid; I already get high gas mileage in the little Protoge. There sure as **** nothing I can do to reduce the toll costs I incur on a daily basis.

Sucks. What about you guys, what's the monthly damage?
your Protege probably gets at least 30mpg, and you're only driving 800 miles/month for your job. At $3.75 (I know, that's optimistic) that's only $100/month for you to commute. Where does the rest of the mileage/money go?
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,031
7,550
Please, do the math.

Unleaded = $3.50/gallon
Diesel = $4.25/gallon

unleaded car = 30mpg
diesel car = 50mpg

200 miles a month unleaded = $23.33
200 miles a month diesel = $17

<edit> B25 in my area is only $3.20 also, so it's a win/win
not again :D . 30 mpg vs. 50 mpg is stretching the truth.

2000 Honda Civic HX, ~$6000 perhaps
31/40 mpg per www.fueleconomy.gov (33 mpg combined)
$2.73 to drive 25 miles

2000 VW Jetta TDI, ~$10000 if you're lucky!
35/44 mpg per the same source (38 mpg combined)
$2.73 to drive 25 miles

if the TDI didn't cost so much more up front and used then it'd be nice to have one in order to run biodiesel, but it's not a financially sound proposition as things stand.
 

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
Please, do the math.

Unleaded = $3.50/gallon
Diesel = $4.25/gallon

unleaded car = 30mpg
diesel car = 50mpg

200 miles a month unleaded = $23.33
200 miles a month diesel = $17

<edit> B25 in my area is only $3.20 also, so it's a win/win
I stand corrected. It looks like I could save $25/month or so by going to a diesel vehicle that got that mileage.
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
My Ranger runs me about $150 a month; the only reason the cost is that high is becuase I have to commute to school once a week....other than that I live close to work. I'm going to start riding my bike again this week and that should lower the cost. I like the idea of having a car that has a high mpg, but the truck is paid for....whats better, $150 in gas or $80 in gas + $300 car payment?
 

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
your Protege probably gets at least 30mpg, and you're only driving 800 miles/month for your job. At $3.75 (I know, that's optimistic) that's only $100/month for you to commute. Where does the rest of the mileage/money go?
I need to fill up once a week and it costs around $40.00 to fill up (give or take). So, you have to factor in that I'm driving to from other places besides work, plus I sit in traffic on a pretty daily basis. I also have the other car that my wife drives. While it doesn't get driven as much the mileage is absolutely horrible.

I spend about $150/month in tolls as well. About $7.50/day.

Honestly though it seems like I'm on the low end of the scale and don't have much to complain about. If it wasn't for the tolls it really wouldn't be a big deal. Some of you guys/gals go through a lot more scratch in a month than I do.
 

Serial Midget

Al Bundy
Jun 25, 2002
13,053
1,896
Fort of Rio Grande
I commute 70 miles round trip each day - its costs me a tank per week at $50.00 or $55.00. I drive a Subaru Outback with a manual and have averages 29.7MPG for the last 6000 miles.

If I get transferred to Alaska my daily commute would be about 3 miles... easy to walk or ride. :)
 

buildyourown

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2004
4,832
0
South Seattle
Wow. There are some insane numbers in this thread.

So, looking at the current situation, gas is only projected to go up. At what point would people consider lifestyle choices? I changed jobs last year in part to get rid of my 40 mile/day commute. Gas has since gone up about 80 cents.
I understand that the train takes longer, but at what point does the money make it worth while?
 

woodsguy

gets infinity MPG
Mar 18, 2007
1,083
1
Sutton, MA
Last year I kept a record at each fillup.

For my wife's Mazda 6:
Total Miles: 15,829mi
Avg Price/Gallon: $2.706
Total Gallons: 555.01
Total Cost: $1,502.40
Avg mi/Tank: 405.9mi
Best Tank: 37.82mpg
Worst Tank: 26.42mpg
Avg Tank: 28.53mpg

For my CRV:
Total Miles: 23,241mi
Avg Price/Gallon: $2.711
Total Gallons: 885.4
Total Cost: $2,389.12
Avg mi/Tank: 294.2mi
Best Tank: 33.56mpg
Worst Tank: 22.67mpg
Avg Tank: 26.29mpg
 

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
Wow. There are some insane numbers in this thread.

So, looking at the current situation, gas is only projected to go up. At what point would people consider lifestyle choices? I changed jobs last year in part to get rid of my 40 mile/day commute. Gas has since gone up about 80 cents.
I understand that the train takes longer, but at what point does the money make it worth while?
As much as I do believe that gas is simply a consumer commodity and not a necessity of life as some people look at it, it is something that would be very hard to live without given our current lifestyle. I think the point at which we change is the point at which we are forced to, as a society.

I'll keep paying for gas as long as I can afford it. I'll try to keep cost/consumption down, but until there is a viable alternative I don't see myself making very many drastic changes.

We'll see though. As it stands I am looking to buy a house/home, so I guess it's possible I would get something closer to work, but that's not very likely geographically/economically.
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
I need to fill up once a week and it costs around $40.00 to fill up (give or take). So, you have to factor in that I'm driving to from other places besides work, plus I sit in traffic on a pretty daily basis. I also have the other car that my wife drives. While it doesn't get driven as much the mileage is absolutely horrible.

I spend about $150/month in tolls as well. About $7.50/day.

Honestly though it seems like I'm on the low end of the scale and don't have much to complain about. If it wasn't for the tolls it really wouldn't be a big deal. Some of you guys/gals go through a lot more scratch in a month than I do.
God, the tolls just KILL!
That's what I don't miss about the east coast...
 

ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
So, looking at the current situation, gas is only projected to go up. At what point would people consider lifestyle choices?
I think people will adjust, but I doubt their gas consumption will go down very much. The reality is, as a nation, we spend a very small amount of our income on gasoline. People will cut in other areas to be able to pay for gasoline. I bet gas would have to hit $6 a gallon to really change people’s habits
 

narlus

Eastcoast Softcore
Staff member
Nov 7, 2001
24,658
63
behind the viewfinder
i typically average about 34-35 mpg (i've gotten as high as 39), and my tank is roughly 12 gal. my commute is an easy 18 miles roundtrip, but if i have to drive to a concert in boston, that's about 60 miles round trip.

i usually fill up around twice a month.

my wife's minivan gets around 20 mpg on a more limited data set (i always calculate my average mpg when i refill, she rarely does).
 

cannondalejunky

ease dropper
Jun 19, 2005
2,924
2
Arkansas
about 50 bucks a week...but i'm moving next week and i'll be closer to my job, and i wont have to drive 30 min there and back on the weekends to see my friends...and right now the main road going to my office is very busy and skinny, but they're putting a sidewalk in, so when that gets done i'll be commuting more often
 

dan-o

Turbo Monkey
Jun 30, 2004
6,499
2,805
My work truck is ~$450-550/mo depending on where we're working. The wife's car is ~$50/mo.
 

woodsguy

gets infinity MPG
Mar 18, 2007
1,083
1
Sutton, MA
Oh yea tolls. For both our transponders it cost us $603.37 last year. So that brings our total gas and tolls cost to $4494.89 or an average of $374.57 per month.