How much is a Milwaukee MCTS transit pass?

A monthly MCTS pass is around $72, though prices vary by fare type and any employer or student discounts you qualify for. Enter your exact pass price for a precise comparison.

Why is driving more than just gas?

The full per-mile cost of driving includes fuel plus depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and tires. This tool adds an IRS-style per-mile allowance on top of fuel so the comparison is fair.

What parking cost should I use?

Downtown Milwaukee monthly garage parking averages near $90. If your employer subsidizes parking or you park on the street, lower this figure accordingly.

Does this include car payments?

No. The per-mile allowance covers operating and ownership wear, but a fixed loan or lease payment is separate. Add it manually if you want total cost of ownership.

How do I read the result?

The lower monthly total wins. The breakdown shows fuel, the per-mile vehicle allowance, and parking for driving, so you can see exactly where the cost comes from.

Milwaukee Commute Cost Calculator

Find your real Milwaukee commute cost

Choosing between an MCTS bus pass and driving downtown is not just gas versus a fare. Driving carries hidden per-mile wear, insurance, and parking that often flip the math. This calculator lays both options side by side using Milwaukee-area defaults.

How it works

Transit is simple: the monthly pass price. Driving is the sum of fuel and a per-mile vehicle allowance times your total monthly mileage, plus parking:

monthly miles    = one-way miles * 2 * commuting days
fuel cost        = (monthly miles / mpg) * gas price
vehicle cost     = monthly miles * per-mile allowance
driving total    = fuel cost + vehicle cost + parking
transit total    = monthly pass price

The per-mile allowance (defaulting near the IRS standard mileage rate) captures depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and tires — the costs drivers usually forget. The cheaper monthly total is the rational choice for a pure commute.

Tips and example

A 10-mile one-way commute, 22 days a month, at 28 MPG and $3.40/gal: monthly miles are 10 * 2 * 22 = 440. Fuel is (440 / 28) * 3.40 = 53.43. At a 0.67 per-mile allowance the vehicle cost is 294.80, and with 90 parking the driving total is roughly 438. Against a 72 transit pass, the bus wins decisively.

Adjust the per-mile allowance down if your car is paid off and reliable, or up for a new vehicle with high depreciation.