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It costs an average of 52.2 cents per mile to operate a newer vehicle, according to the American Automobile Association’s (AAA’s) annual calculation. If that figure seems high, the good news is that it’s holding steady from last year.
On average, AAA estimates that you’ll spend $7,823 to drive 15,000 miles in a vehicle that is less than 5 years old. The calculation includes fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, license, registration, taxes, depreciation and finance charges. (Note that i: It doesn’t include the actual car payment.)
AAA also breaks the cost down by vehicle type. While a small car may cost you $6,219 a year to drive, a large sedan would force $9,373 out of your wallet. A minivan demands $8,639 a year, and the SUV remains the consuming king—gobbling up $9,997 per year.
Source: American Automobile Association