This year's averages are somewhat higher than last. The composite cost per mile average for driving 10,000 per year climbed from 62.1¢ per mile in 2007 to 71¢ per mile in the 2008 report.
Not surprisingly gasoline was the major change from the previous year - from $2.56 per gallon to $2.94 per gallon. Maintenance costs actually went down for all sizes of vehicles. The calculations assume a 5 year ownership with 75,000 miles with the vehicle financed at 6%. Although this finance assumption somewhat overstates the cost of ownership for many people, the AAA numbers are nevertheless a consistent and useful reference. Carsharing companies citing these numbers may want to include a charge for parking, as well.
According to AAA, when they first published the summary in 1950, gasoline cost 27¢ per gallon and driving a car 10,000 miles cost 9¢ per mile.
