How much is an ABQ Ride monthly pass?

An ABQ Ride 31-day pass costs about $36, which covers unlimited local bus rides for the period. That fixed cost is compared here against the variable cost of driving.

What is included in the driving cost?

Driving cost combines fuel (distance divided by miles per gallon times gas price) plus monthly parking. The tool also shows the IRS standard mileage figure, which captures fuel plus wear, depreciation, and maintenance.

Why use the IRS mileage rate?

Fuel alone understates driving cost. The IRS standard mileage rate (about 67 cents per mile) approximates the full cost of operating a vehicle, including depreciation, insurance, and maintenance, giving a fairer comparison to a transit pass.

Does this include car insurance or maintenance directly?

Fuel cost does not, but the IRS per-mile figure shown alongside it does. Use the IRS-based total for the most complete driving cost; use the fuel-plus-parking figure for out-of-pocket cash.

Is the gas price fixed?

No. You can enter the current Albuquerque pump price. The default reflects a recent local average, but prices change, so update it for an accurate estimate.

Albuquerque Commute Cost Calculator

This calculator compares the cost of commuting by car in Albuquerque against buying an ABQ Ride transit pass. It totals fuel, parking, and full-cost mileage so you can see which option saves money each month.

How it works

Driving cost is built from miles, fuel economy, gas price, and parking. The IRS standard rate gives the full operating cost per mile:

monthly_miles = round_trip_miles * days
fuel_cost     = (monthly_miles / mpg) * gas_price
drive_cash    = fuel_cost + parking
drive_full    = monthly_miles * irs_rate + parking
transit_cost  = abq_ride_pass   (≈ $36/month)

The tool shows both the cash-only driving cost and the IRS full-cost figure beside the transit pass.

Example

A 20-mile round trip, 22 days a month, at 28 mpg and $3.10/gal: monthly miles = 440, fuel = (440/28)*3.10 ≈ $48.71. Add $60 parking for $108.71 cash. The IRS full cost is 440 * 0.67 + 60 ≈ $354.80, far above the $36 transit pass.

Notes

This is an estimate. Gas prices, parking, and the IRS mileage rate change over time, and individual fuel economy varies. Update the inputs for your situation. The transit figure assumes a standard ABQ Ride 31-day pass.