How much does it cost to commute in San Antonio?

A VIA Metropolitan Transit 31-day pass costs $38, making transit the cheapest option for most commuters. Driving a 12-mile each-way commute typically runs $150-$250 a month once you include gas, parking and per-mile vehicle wear.

What does the IRS mileage rate represent?

The IRS standard mileage rate — about $0.67 per mile in 2024 — bundles fuel, maintenance, tires, depreciation and insurance into one figure. This calculator lets you use it as the true cost of driving rather than counting fuel alone, which understates the cost.

Is the VIA pass worth it?

If you commute on most workdays, the $38 monthly pass almost always beats driving once parking and vehicle wear are included. The pass also covers unlimited off-peak trips, so it can replace some non-commute car use too.

Should I count parking in my commute cost?

Yes — for downtown San Antonio workers parking can be the single largest line item, around $70 a month for a monthly garage. Leaving it out makes driving look far cheaper than it really is.

Does this include car payments?

No. The calculator covers variable per-mile running costs plus parking and gas. A car loan or lease is a fixed cost you pay regardless of how you commute, so it is excluded to keep the driving-versus-transit comparison fair.

San Antonio Commute Cost Calculator

The San Antonio commute cost calculator shows the real monthly price of getting to work and back, comparing the VIA transit pass against driving with all the hidden vehicle costs included. Most people underestimate driving because they only count fuel — this tool counts the rest too.

How it works

Driving cost has three parts: fuel, per-mile vehicle wear, and parking.

monthly miles  = one-way miles × 2 × commute days
fuel cost      = (monthly miles ÷ mpg) × gas price
wear cost      = monthly miles × IRS per-mile rate
driving total  = fuel cost + wear cost + monthly parking

The IRS standard mileage rate (about $0.67/mile in 2024) captures depreciation, maintenance, tires and insurance in one number. Transit cost is simply the VIA monthly pass at $38. The calculator highlights whichever is cheaper and shows your monthly savings.

Worked example

A 12-mile each-way commute, 22 days a month, in a 28 mpg car at $2.90/gallon with $70 parking:

Monthly miles: 12 × 2 × 22 = 528
Fuel: (528 ÷ 28) × $2.90 = $54.69
Wear at $0.67/mi: 528 × 0.67 = $353.76
Driving total: $54.69 + $353.76 + $70 = $478.45
VIA pass: $38

Transit wins by over $440/month when full vehicle wear is counted. Even using fuel-only ($54.69 + $70 = $124.69), the pass still saves about $87/month.

Tips

Use fuel-only mode if you would own the car anyway and only want the marginal cash cost — set the per-mile rate to 0.
Park-and-ride lets you combine driving partway with the pass, splitting the difference.
All math runs locally in your browser — nothing is stored.