How much does it cost to commute in Los Angeles?

Driving costs in LA depend on distance, but using the IRS standard mileage rate of $0.67/mile a 20-mile one-way commute over 22 workdays costs about $590/month before parking, which can add $250+. A Metro TAP monthly pass is about $100, often making transit far cheaper for those near rail or bus lines.

What does the IRS mileage rate include?

The IRS standard mileage rate (about $0.67/mile) is designed to capture the full cost of operating a vehicle — fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, and depreciation — not just gas. Using it gives a realistic true cost of driving rather than only the fuel you pump.

How much is a Metro TAP pass in Los Angeles?

A standard LA Metro monthly TAP pass is approximately $100. Reduced-fare passes for seniors, students, and the disabled cost less, and a 7-day pass is available for shorter commitments. The TAP card works across Metro rail, bus, and many regional transit systems.

Is it cheaper to drive or take transit in LA?

For most longer commutes it is cheaper to take transit if a convenient route exists, because driving accrues mileage, fuel, and parking costs that often exceed the ~$100 monthly TAP pass. Short commutes with free parking can favor driving. This calculator compares your specific numbers both ways.

Los Angeles Commute Cost Calculator — Transit vs Driving

This calculator compares the true monthly cost of driving in Los Angeles against a Metro TAP pass (~$100/mo). Driving cost uses the IRS standard mileage rate, which captures fuel plus maintenance and depreciation, then adds parking — giving an honest side-by-side.

How it works

The driving side uses round-trip mileage at the IRS rate, plus parking:

Monthly miles = one-way miles x 2 x commute days/month Driving cost = Monthly miles x IRS rate + monthly parking

The transit side is simply your monthly pass price (TAP pass defaults to $100). The tool reports both totals and the monthly saving from the cheaper option.

Why the IRS mileage rate

People often think of commute cost as just gas. The IRS standard mileage rate (~$0.67/mile) bundles fuel, oil, maintenance, tires, insurance, and depreciation, so it reflects the real cost of putting miles on a car — not just the fuel you pump. That makes the driving figure comparable to the all-in transit pass.

Example

A 20-mile one-way commute, 22 days/month:

Monthly miles: 20 x 2 x 22 = 880 miles
Driving (mileage): 880 x $0.67 = $589.60
Plus parking: + $250 = $839.60/month
Transit (TAP pass): $100/month
Driving costs ~$739.60 more per month

Notes

Parking varies enormously in LA — free at many suburban jobs, $250+/month downtown. If you have free parking, set it to $0. The IRS rate updates annually; adjust it if needed. All figures are estimates for planning.