Cost per Mile
I was thinking today, I sometimes do that... About who really cares about the Miles per gallon a car is going, but rather the more critical measure is the cost per mile.
For instance, yesterday I paid 37.38 to fill up my Honda Accord, which had recently driven 368 miles*. So my Cost per mile (CPM) is about 10 cents. That isn't that bad... Of course when you consider that last year, I was getting about 6 cents per mile that is quite the jump... What are you getting on your car? I have a co-worker with an Expediation who pays an estimated 20 cents per mile driven.
Think of the impact a change like this could have. Instead of looking at a car, or more likely truck that gets 15 miles per gallon, you are looking at a truck that costs 17 cents per mile, which means my 20 mile drive to work costs me 3.45 dollars one way and if I were going to drive on vacation to Minnesota it would cost 204 dollars for gas one way. OUCH! That make the 300 dollar round trip ticket on Continental look pretty good. -- I realize gas mileage on the freeway could be better, but still it is crazy!!!
*I realize I should take the miles driven after I pay 37.38, but I really don't have the time or the desire to track it that closely
2 Comments:
Factor in that the re-sale value of your co-worker's Expedition has dropped quite a bit in the last few months and you have an even clearer picture of why America's love affair with the SUV is fading. . . .
I recently ate two bean burritos at Taco Bell (total $1.50) and biked 40 miles. When I finished I was starving and had to refuel the body. My figuring came out to almost 4 cents a mile. I was just glad I wasn't walking or that I didn't eat a "nice" meal.
yeah, back to reality, I was thinking the same thing this morning driving to the Y when I was diving past a Hummer. Crazy to even think about. But fuel costs are not just high, they are brutal for the poor. It is a regressive tax/cost. A mom of 3 kids still has to go to work, just as the lawyer does. Those extra dollars are really not going to effect the lawyer, but they will really sting the mom.
That is what I enjoyed about being in Europe in May. The public transportation was so available and efficient. I love America, but the sprawling cities will be even more divided between the rich and poor if the gas continues to climb.
Now where is my bike.
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