AAA Says Average Driving Cost Drops for First Time in 10 Years
ORLANDO, Fla.--April 2, 2002--The average cost of driving a new car in 2002 has dipped .8 cent per mile from one year ago to an estimated 50.2 cents per mile, AAA's annual Your Driving Costs study shows. This is the first decline reported by AAA since 1993 when driving costs declined .1 cent per mile to 38.7 cents.Most of this year's decline in annual automobile costs is due to lower fuel prices, AAA said. AAA's estimate of annual per automobile expenses is considerably higher than the 36.5 cents per mile allowed by the United States Internal Revenue Service. The IRS tax allowance for business mileage has never allowed full reimbursement of all expenses associated with automobile ownership and use.
AAA's annual Your Driving Costs study reports motorists driving 15,000 miles this year will spend an average of $7,533 on auto-related expenses, down $121 since last year.
Operating costs -- gas and oil, maintenance and tires -- decreased 1.8 cents from 13.6 cents to 11.8 cents per mile as a result of lower prices at the gas pump. Ownership costs increased 41 cents per day, however, from $15.38 per day to $15.79. AAA's cost estimates are based on computations made by Runzheimer International of Rochester, Wisc., a management consulting firm specializing in transportation, travel and living costs.
AAA's cost figures are based on a composite national average of three domestically built 2002 cars - a subcompact Chevrolet Cavalier LS, a mid-size Ford Taurus SEL Deluxe and a full-size Mercury Grand Marquis LS.
These similarly equipped vehicles include air conditioning, automatic transmission, power steering, AM/FM stereo, dual air bags, antilock brakes, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, tinted glass and a rear-window defogger. The costs are based on a four year/60,000 miles ownership period.
The study also included driving costs for sport-utility vehicles and minivans. AAA says the cost to drive a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer is 53.8 cents per mile, down 2 cents per mile from last year. The driving costs for a Dodge Caravan SE are 49.1 cents per mile, down 2.1 cents per mile from last year.
A pamphlet, "Your Driving Costs", is available through most of AAA's 80 affiliated clubs in the United States and Canada. Single copies also can be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped business envelope to: Your Driving Costs, Box 75, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, Fla. 32746-5063.
Information on the driving costs for a Chevrolet Blazer and a Dodge Caravan are included in the pamphlet but are not used to determine the composite national average, but is included in the report to help buyers estimate driving costs for these vehicles.
As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 45 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, full-tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at: http://www.aaa.com.
AAA's ANNUAL DRIVING COST ESTIMATES
YEAR COST PER YEAR COST PER MILE
---- ------------- -------------
2002 $7,533 50.2 cents
2001 $7,654 51.0 cents
2000 $7,363 49.1 cents
1999 $7,050 47.0 cents
1998 $6,908 46.1 cents
1997 $6,723 44.8 cents
1996 $6,389 42.6 cents
1995 $6,185 41.2 cents
1994 $5,916 39.4 cents
1993 $5,804 38.7 cents
1992 $5,824 38.8 cents
AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news
