Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Is taking the bus cheaper than driving?

I’ve been looking into ways to save money this year, and I read something interesting that caught my attention. Apparently, it’s cheaper to take the bus instead of driving. Considering the daily cost of a bus ride these days, that just seems sort of strange to me. So is it cheaper to take the bus?

avatar
Michelle Ballestrasse · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It does seem hard to believe that taking the bus could be cheaper than driving, I totally agree. But a big part of the reason it looks that way is that the price you pay for the bus ticket is already quantified for you when you go to pay for it. However, the cost of running your car is something you have to figure out yourself.
How much gas do you use in a day, and what does that cost? How much
wear and tear
are you putting on your car? On your engine, brakes, and transmission? What is the average daily cost of maintenance? Of parking permits and tolls? Once you crunch the numbers, you’ll find that you spend quite a bit of money on average per day driving your car.
AAA
estimates that driving a car can cost about 70.2 cents per mile. So long commutes mean more money spent per day on just driving your vehicle.
If you decide to ride the bus every day, there could be ways to save even more on your ticket. Monthly and yearly passes are pricier upfront, but they can save you a lot of money if you’re a daily commuter.
Don’t forget your time is important too. Is it easy to get to and from bus stops? Is the bus trip longer than your usual commute? Do you need a car during lunch breaks?
So, according to most stats and studies, yes, it is often cheaper to take the bus than to drive your car. But if the bus is too inconvenient, there are ways to save money while driving. You can save an average of $887 per year on your
car insurance
if you call on
Jerry
to help you find a new, more affordable policy.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings