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If it feels as if driving your car every day is getting more and more expensive, that's because it is. AAA's annual "Your Driving Costs"study was recently released, and it reveals that driving costs have increased steadily over the past year.
The study states drivers are now paying 1.9 percent more than last year to keep their cars rolling, with the average yearly price tag now up to $8,776 in operating costs. This averages out at 58.5 cents per mile (based on a 15,000 miles per year average).
But before you abandon driving altogether (which might not be such a bad idea if you've got a bike), there is some good news. Driving costs almost 4.5 cents less per mile for maintenance and insurance. The report attributes this saving to dealers' common practice of throwing in some free selected servicing with the purchase price of the car. Additionally, car manufacturers are stretching out the intervals between recommended services.
The AAA study rates costs of ownership by body style (it costs more money to own, drive and maintain a Cadillac Escalade versus a Honda Civic).
The report also contains a disclaimer: the study took place while fuel prices were still below $3 per gallon, so the impact of gas was judged to be 12.34 cents per mile for sedans at that time.
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