THE GAS SAVINGS CALCULATOR

Would riding
save you money?

Start with the car trips you could skip. You can compare running costs now and add a ride price when you’re ready to check payback.

Your trips. Your gas price.

The numbers below are an editable example in U.S. dollars and miles, not current price quotes. Adjust the riding days and weeks for weather, time off and days you need the car.

Car miles you replace, round tripmiDays per week you skip that drivedaysWeeks you will ride each yearweeksWhat you pay for gas$/galYour car’s fuel economympgParking / tolls you actually avoid per day$

Riding distance, charging & upkeep

Riding distance, round trip (if different)miElectricity price$/kWhRide energy useWh/miCharging overhead%Ride upkeep allowance$/miCar upkeep you actually avoid$/miAdded bus / train fare per riding day$

Taking a quieter, longer route? Enter that riding distance here. Fuel savings use the car miles you remove; charging and upkeep use the miles you ride. Include tires, brakes, sealant, servicing and a battery replacement allowance in upkeep. For a transit connection, include any extra fares.

Thinking about buying?

Add the seller’s current price to see payback. Leave it blank while you browse, or enter 0 if you already own the ride. Setup costs still count.

Ride price, once you have a quote$Helmet, lock, gear, tax & shipping$

See my estimate

IF GAS PRICES CHANGE

Would the numbers still work?

These are scenarios, not price forecasts. Everything else stays as you entered it.

Find something that fits the trip.

Your route and running-cost entries go with you to the finder. Choose a model, then come back with its current price.

Find a ride for these trips Browse budget and midrange rides

If the payback is too slow, try a bike you already own, walking, transit or combining errands. Spending less on gas doesn’t have to start with a purchase.

How the costs are calculated

Trips replaced

Car miles removed × riding days per week × weeks per year. Only count the driving you stop doing. Riding miles use the same formula with your riding distance, which can be different.

Costs compared

Car miles ÷ mpg × gas price, plus parking, tolls and car upkeep you avoid. Subtract charging, ride upkeep and any extra transit fares. Charging uses riding miles × Wh per mile ÷ 1,000 × electricity price, plus your overhead allowance.

Keeping your car?

Your car payment, insurance, registration and other fixed costs usually remain. This estimate doesn’t count them as savings. Only include parking you stop paying for; a monthly pass you keep has no saving.

The monthly figure is the yearly result divided by 12, including weeks off. Simple payback divides the ride and setup cost by that monthly difference. If the difference is zero or negative, there is no payback through these savings. Financing, resale, inflation, opportunity cost and medical costs are outside this estimate. It’s a planning tool, not a promise.