What does a Cincinnati Metro pass cost?

This tool uses about $72 for a Cincinnati Metro (SORTA) monthly pass as a representative figure. Actual fares depend on the zones you travel and any discount programs, so check current SORTA pricing for your route.

Why are two driving costs shown?

The cash cost counts only fuel plus parking — what leaves your wallet now. The full cost uses the IRS standard mileage rate of about $0.67 per mile, which also captures depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and tires, giving the true cost of driving.

What is the IRS standard mileage rate?

It is a per-mile figure the IRS publishes each year to approximate the total cost of operating a vehicle. At roughly $0.67 per mile it bundles fuel, maintenance, depreciation, and insurance, which is why it is much higher than fuel alone.

Does this include car payments or insurance directly?

Not as separate line items. The IRS full-cost figure already bundles depreciation, maintenance, and insurance into one per-mile rate. The cash cost deliberately leaves those out so you can see immediate out-of-pocket spending.

Can I use this for a hybrid or electric vehicle?

Yes for the cash side — just enter a high mpg and the relevant energy price. The IRS full-cost line is calibrated for an average gasoline vehicle, so treat the full-cost comparison as approximate for EVs.

Cincinnati Commute Cost Calculator

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This calculator compares the true monthly cost of commuting in Cincinnati by car versus by Cincinnati Metro (SORTA). It shows driving cost two ways — bare cash for fuel and parking, and the full IRS cost of ownership — so you can see the honest trade-off against a transit pass.

How it works

The tool first converts your trips into monthly miles, then prices fuel and applies the IRS rate for full cost:

monthly_miles = round_trip_miles * commute_days
fuel_cost     = (monthly_miles / mpg) * gas_price
drive_cash    = fuel_cost + monthly_parking
drive_full    = monthly_miles * 0.67 + monthly_parking
transit       = metro_pass (~$72)

The cash figure is what leaves your wallet now; the full figure adds the depreciation and maintenance the IRS rate captures. The cheaper option is flagged in green.

Example

A 22-mile round trip, 22 days a month, is 484 miles. At 27 mpg and $3.20 gas that is about $57 of fuel; with $100 parking the cash cost is $157/mo, while the IRS full cost is about 484 x $0.67 + $100 = $424/mo. Against a $72 Metro pass, transit wins on both measures.

Notes

Pass prices, gas prices, and parking change often, so update the inputs for your situation. The IRS full-cost comparison is calibrated for an average gasoline car and is approximate for hybrids and EVs.