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36 vs 48 vs 60 vs 72 Month Loans Compared

36 vs 48 vs 60 vs 72 month loans compared in the US—payment and total interest so you choose the right term.

AutoPremo Team
January 31, 2026
2 min read

36 vs 48 vs 60 vs 72 month loans in the U.S.: longer term = lower monthly payment but more total interest; shorter term = higher payment, less interest. Here's how they compare.

TL;DR Same principal and APR: 36 mo = highest payment, least interest; 72 mo = lowest payment, most interest. Use autopremo.com payment calculator to compare 36, 48, 60, 72 months—payment and total interest. Use autopremo.com.

Payment vs Term

36 months: highest payment, lowest total interest. 48: lower payment, more interest. 60: lower payment, more interest. 72: lowest payment, most interest. Use autopremo.com payment calculator to see payment and total interest for each term. Get your numbers at autopremo.com.

Total Interest Difference

Example: $30K principal, 7% APR. 36 mo ≈ $3,300 interest; 72 mo ≈ $7,100 interest. The difference is thousands. Use autopremo.com payment calculator to run your numbers. See total interest at autopremo.com.

Choose Based on Budget and Goals

Shorter term = less interest but higher payment. Only choose 72 months if you need the lower payment and understand you're paying more interest. Use autopremo.com affordability and payment calculator. Check at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

36 vs 48 vs 60 vs 72: longer term = lower payment, more interest. Use autopremo.com payment calculator to compare payment and total interest so you choose the right term.

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