AAA Says Average Driving Cost up 1.5 Cents Per Mile For 2003

    ORLANDO, Fla.--April 7, 2003--The average cost of driving a new car in 2003 has increased 1.5 cents per mile from one year ago to an estimated 51.7 cents per mile, AAA's annual Your Driving Costs study shows. This is the largest increase reported by AAA since 2000 when driving costs increased 2.1 cents per mile to 49.1 cents.
    Most of this year's increase in annual automobile costs is due to higher fuel and insurance costs, AAA said. AAA's estimate of annual automobile expenses is considerably higher than the 36 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 $7,754 on auto-related expenses, up $221 since last year.
    Operating costs -- gas and oil, maintenance and tires -- increased 1.3 cents from 11.8 cents to 13.1 cents per mile as a result of higher prices at the gas pump. Ownership costs increased 7 cents per day from $15.79 per day to $15.86 due to higher insurance costs. 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 2003 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 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is 56.1 cents per mile, up 2.3 cents per mile from last year. The driving costs for a Dodge Caravan SE are 50.3 cents per mile, up 1.2 cents per mile from last year.
    A pamphlet, "Your Driving Costs", is available through most AAA clubs in the United States. 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 TrailBlazer and a Dodge Caravan are included in the pamphlet but are not used to determine the composite national average. They are 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 nearly 46 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully-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

     2003        $7,754          51.7 cents

     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