How much is a Detroit transit pass?

A DDOT 31-day FAST pass is about $70 per month for unlimited rides on Detroit Department of Transportation buses. The tool uses $70 as the default but you can change it for regional or reduced-fare passes.

What does driving really cost beyond gas?

Gas is only part of it. The IRS standard mileage rate of about $0.67 per mile captures fuel plus depreciation, maintenance, tires, and insurance wear. Parking is then added on top as a fixed monthly cost.

How is the monthly driving cost calculated?

Round-trip miles per day times commuting days gives monthly miles. That is multiplied by either your computed fuel cost or the IRS all-in per-mile rate, then parking is added. The tool shows both fuel-only and full-cost views.

Why include the IRS mileage rate?

Fuel alone understates driving cost because a car wears out and loses value with every mile. The IRS rate is a widely used proxy for the true marginal cost of operating a vehicle, giving a fairer comparison against transit.

Does this account for time?

No. It compares dollar cost only. If transit takes longer, value your time separately and weigh it against the savings the calculator reports.

Detroit Commute Cost Calculator

This calculator settles the everyday Detroit question: is it cheaper to take the DDOT bus or to drive? It totals the real cost of driving — fuel, vehicle wear, and parking — and lines it up against the $70 monthly transit pass.

How it works

The tool computes monthly commuting miles, then prices driving two ways: a fuel-only figure and a full-cost figure using the IRS standard mileage rate (about $0.67/mile) that includes depreciation and maintenance.

monthly_miles = one_way_miles * 2 * commute_days
fuel_cost     = (monthly_miles / mpg) * gas_price
full_cost     = monthly_miles * 0.67 + parking
transit_cost  = 70   (DDOT monthly pass)

The cheaper option and the monthly savings are reported so the choice is clear.

Example

A 12-mile one-way commute over 22 days is 12 * 2 * 22 = 528 miles a month. At the IRS rate that is 528 * 0.67 = $353.76, plus $75 parking gives $428.76 to drive — far above the $70 transit pass.

Notes

Driving cost depends heavily on whether you count vehicle depreciation. The fuel-only number understates the true cost; the IRS-rate number is the honest comparison. Parking varies widely by neighborhood — adjust it to your spot.