Why compare a transit pass to per-mile driving cost?

A CTA monthly pass is a flat fee regardless of trips, while driving cost scales with distance through fuel, parking, and vehicle wear. Comparing both reveals the break-even commute distance where one becomes cheaper than the other.

What is the per-mile vehicle cost?

Beyond fuel, driving incurs maintenance, tires, and depreciation. The IRS standard mileage rate bundles these into a single per-mile figure used for reimbursement, which is a reasonable proxy for the true cost of each mile you drive.

How much is a CTA pass?

A CTA 30-day unlimited pass costs around 105 dollars and covers buses and trains. If you also use Metra commuter rail, your transit cost will be higher, so adjust the pass figure to match your actual fare products.

Should I include parking?

Yes, if you pay for it. Downtown Chicago parking can run 200 dollars or more per month, which often makes driving more expensive than transit for a daily downtown commute. Set parking to zero if your destination has free parking.

Does this include the cost of my time?

No. This tool compares money only. If transit takes longer than driving, factor the value of the extra time separately, since a slower but cheaper commute may not be the better choice for everyone.

Chicago Commute Cost Calculator

Is it cheaper to take the CTA or to drive to work in Chicago? This calculator prices both honestly — a flat transit pass versus the full cost of driving including fuel, parking, and per-mile vehicle wear — and tells you which wins for your specific commute.

How it works

The transit side is a flat pass. The driving side scales with distance:

round-trip miles/mo = one-way miles × 2 × commute days
fuel cost           = (round-trip miles / mpg) × gas price
wear cost           = round-trip miles × per-mile vehicle cost
driving total       = fuel + wear + monthly parking
transit total       = monthly pass price

Comparing the two totals reveals your break-even: short downtown commutes with paid parking favour transit, while long suburban drives with free parking can favour the car.

Example and tips

A 9-mile one-way commute, 22 days a month, at 3.60 dollars a gallon and 28 mpg, with 200 dollars parking and a 0.21 per-mile wear figure, costs well over 300 dollars a month to drive — far more than the roughly 105 dollar CTA pass. The two biggest swing factors are parking and distance: eliminate downtown parking or shorten the drive and the gap narrows fast. Remember this compares dollars only, not the value of your time.