City vs Highway Driving Cost Comparison

City vs highway driving in the U.S. affects fuel cost, wear, and total cost of ownership—city driving often costs more per mile. Here's how to compare and factor it in.

TL;DR City driving usually means lower MPG (stop-and-go) and more wear (brakes, transmission)—so fuel and maintenance cost per mile can be higher than highway. Use your mix of city/highway when comparing total cost. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership and adjust for your driving mix.

City vs Highway Cost

• Fuel — EPA city MPG is often lower than highway; if you drive mostly city, fuel cost per mile is higher. Use combined or city MPG when estimating fuel cost for city-heavy driving.
• Maintenance — stop-and-go increases brake and transmission wear; city-heavy drivers may face higher maintenance cost over time.
• Depreciation — high city miles can hurt resale (buyers prefer highway miles). Factor that into total cost if you plan to sell.

See total cost at autopremo.com.

What to Do

• Use the right MPG — if you're mostly city, use city or combined MPG when estimating fuel cost. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership and plug in your driving mix.
• Choose a car that fits — hybrids often do well in city (regenerative braking, less idle waste); some gas cars have a big city/highway MPG gap. Compare total cost for your mix.

Get total cost at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

City driving often costs more per mile than highway—fuel and wear. Factor your city/highway mix into total cost of ownership. Use autopremo.com to see total cost so you don't underbudget.