Is the Total Cost of Car Ownership Calculator result exact?

No. It is a planning estimate based on the values entered and may not include every insurer, contractor, lender, software, tax or regulatory assumption.

Can I compare multiple scenarios?

Yes. Change one input at a time and compare the results.

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Total Cost of Car Ownership Calculator

Last updated: July 2026

Estimate multi-year vehicle ownership cost from financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and expected resale value.

Vehicle purchase price ($)

Down payment ($)

Net trade-in credit ($)

Loan APR (%)

Loan term (months)

Ownership period (years)

Miles driven per year

Fuel economy (MPG)

Fuel price per gallon ($)

Annual insurance cost ($)

Maintenance and tires per mile ($)

Annual registration and taxes ($)

Expected resale value at end ($)

Estimated net ownership cost

—

Estimated loan payment: —
Fuel cost over ownership period: —
Insurance, maintenance and registration: —
Average monthly ownership cost: —

On this page

What this calculator estimates
How to use it
How the calculation works
Important limitations
Frequently asked questions

Quick summary: Estimate multi-year vehicle ownership cost from financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and expected resale value. Enter the requested values, calculate, review the result, and compare more than one realistic scenario before making a decision.

Reviewed July 24, 2026 • Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Read the complete guide

What this calculator estimates

Estimate multi-year vehicle ownership cost from financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and expected resale value. It is designed for fast planning and comparison in the United States. The output is an estimate, not a binding quote, approval, tax determination, insurance offer or professional recommendation.

How to use it

Enter the requested values using a single consistent time period and currency. Select Calculate, review the headline result and supporting figures, then change one assumption at a time to compare another scenario.

How the calculation works

Financed principal is converted to a monthly payment. Payments made during the ownership period, upfront value, fuel, insurance, maintenance and registration are combined, then expected resale value is subtracted.

Important limitations

Financing after the ownership period, taxes, repairs, parking, tolls, depreciation uncertainty, charging costs and opportunity cost are not fully modeled.

Frequently asked questions

Is the result exact?

No. It is a planning estimate based on the assumptions entered.

Can I compare different scenarios?

Yes. Change one input at a time so you can see which assumption changes the result.

Does the calculator store my inputs?

The calculation runs in the browser and does not require an account. Avoid entering unnecessary confidential information.