How much does it cost to commute by car in Colorado Springs?

A typical 12-mile one-way commute, driven 22 days a month, runs roughly $90 to $130 in fuel and parking at Colorado Springs gas prices. The full economic cost including depreciation and maintenance (the IRS rate) is higher, often $200 or more.

What is the Mountain Metro pass price?

A Mountain Metropolitan Transit monthly pass in Colorado Springs is about $50, giving unlimited local bus rides. That is usually far cheaper than driving once parking and vehicle wear are counted.

Why does the tool show two driving numbers?

Out-of-pocket cost counts only the fuel and parking you pay this month. The IRS per-mile figure (about $0.67/mile) adds depreciation, insurance, and maintenance, reflecting the true cost of operating the car for the commute.

Does this include the return trip?

Yes. The tool doubles your one-way distance to account for the round trip each commuting day, so the mileage and fuel figures already cover getting there and back.

Should I factor in time savings?

This calculator covers money only. Driving may be faster but transit lets you reclaim travel time, and skipping a car can save thousands a year. Weigh the dollar gap here against your time and convenience.

Colorado Springs Commute Cost Calculator

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This calculator compares the real monthly cost of driving to work in Colorado Springs against a Mountain Metropolitan Transit pass, so you can see which mode saves money.

How it works

Driving cost is split into out-of-pocket spending and the full economic cost. The round-trip distance drives both:

round_trip_miles = one_way_miles * 2
monthly_miles    = round_trip_miles * commute_days
fuel_cost        = (monthly_miles / mpg) * gas_price
out_of_pocket    = fuel_cost + parking
full_irs_cost    = monthly_miles * 0.67 + parking
transit_cost     = monthly_pass     (Mountain Metro ~$50)

The IRS standard mileage rate (about $0.67/mile) bundles fuel, depreciation, insurance, and maintenance, so it reflects the true cost of using the car rather than just what you spend at the pump.

Example

A 12-mile one-way commute, 22 days a month, at 28 MPG and $3.20/gal gas covers about 528 round-trip miles. Fuel is roughly $60, plus $70 parking, for $130 out of pocket — versus a $50 transit pass.

Notes

Gas prices and parking vary by neighborhood and season. The transit pass is a flat figure regardless of distance, so longer commutes favor transit more strongly. Add bike or carpool options manually by lowering the inputs.