How much should I give to the carpool?

Question

I joined a carpool and I am not sure how much to chip in. There is one driver and only me as a passenger (so far). We travel 15 miles one-way, freeway miles, and she will now be able to use the commuter lane now that she has another passenger. I was thinking to give her 50 dollars per month, but I am not sure, I am asking for another opinion on this. Thank you!

Answer 1

For what you ask we can try to figure it this way.

15 Miles. one way is 30 R/T or 150 Mi per week.

At say 25 MPG, that's 6 gallons per week or $24.00.

$24 X 4 weeks = $96. Therefor $50 is 1/2 the gas and sounds fair enough.

However she is doing the driving, changing the oil, buying the tires, paying insurance etc. She would have this anyway, being the car owner but I would think $30 a week would be fair amount to help her recover some expense.

I can't imagine why you don't just ask her how much she wants for you to ride?

Answer 2

Well, 15 miles one way = 30 miles round trip.

Assume the vehicle averages 20 miles/gallon, so it will take 1.5 gallons per day.

1.5 gallons per day, with about 22 working days per month.

1.5 gallons per day * 22 working days/month = 33 gallons/month.

At $4/gallon * 33gallons/month = $132/month

That is her cost in gasoline alone.

Add in costs of oil changes, tires, brakes, insurance costs, depreciation.

I would lean towards $75-$100/month as being more fair.

The other thing is to simply alternate weeks. One week you drive, the next week she drives.

Now if you get another person to ride with you guys, then I would say $50/month probably sounds more reasonable. (assuming the other person also chips in $50/month)

If you feel she doesn't want to accept any payment from you, and she has said she doesn't want money, the be sure that you treat her properly for the favor she's doing for you.

If she ever has to stop for gas, offer to pay for the tank. If she won't accept money, then purchase something nice for her every once in a while, and be thankful that you have such a nice neighbor who is willing to drive you.

Answer 3

Perhaps your friend feels that payment isn't necessary, since they are driving already.  If they won't discuss payment, offer to fill the tank once in awhile, or that you'll treat for breakfast or lunch along the way.  I used to commute by ferry when living in Seattle, and I just preferred to drive....I simply didn't like being a passenger. I never asked my buddies to chip in on gas, but I sure let them buy me a Taco for boat ride!

If you don't like any of my suggestions, you should atleast be providing the tunes!!!!

Answer 4

I think $50 a month is a fair price. You should ask her.. maybe infront of the other person. So that way they chip in also.

Answer 5

Just think on how much you would have to pay if you drove yourself?? Or if you took public transportation??  I don't know what you do, but $50 a month is not enough... sorry.  Why didn't she set a cost when she started the carpooling??  You should ask her, I'm pretty sure she doesn't bite LOL otherwise you wouldn't get in her car. :)

Good Luck!!

Answer 6

50$ is not enough! I would bump it up to at least 75$! gas is toooooooo exspensive

Answer 7

First off that car (you told me it's a Toyota Corolla) gets way better than 20 mpg...factor 30mpg.

These answers seem off to me, but it's still something you need to work out with her. Remember, ultimately she is benefiting too by getting to work quicker and paying less for gas since you will be chipping in and using commuter lane.

Just because she is spending 132$ a month on gas doesn't mean you should pay that....maybe you should factor in some maintenance fees (that she would already be paying) just to be nice.....I'd say $75 is being too generous. That would mean you are paying half for gas ($48 which is fair) and another $27 a month for maintainence. $27 a month is too much and Ill tell you why.

Maintanence is something you shouldn't have to pay since it is her vehicle and the conditions preexisted before you came into the picture. Yes, the added weight of another passenger could cause slightly more wear and tear but not to warrant 324 bucks a year (27 x 12).

Tires for that car cost about 180 bucks for 4 and at 30 miles a day would last about 1000 trips.  In one year you will make about 240 trips with her or about 3000 miles (at the very most). If she only used the car to commute to work the tires would last about 10 years (assuming they are 30,000 mile tires) That means the 180 or lets say 200$ she spent on tires would last 10 years...her annual cost in tires should only be 20$. . this is the actual cost in tires while you are in the car. Split that and say you'll pay her 10$ a year. Which is .83 cents a month.

If you want to factor in her insurance she probably pays about 500 a year on that car @40$ a month. You are only in the car for 20  hours a month. There are approx 700 hours in a month. This works out to about 6 cents an hour. 6 cents x 20 hours is $1.20 a week. Even if you were paying the entire amount while you were in her car the total monthly cost should only be $4.80 a month for her insurance. Split that and monthy you should pay $2.40.

Now lets look at oil...an oil change is good for 3000 miles (at the least) and cost about 50 bucks. Easy to figure since you travel about 3000 miles a year with her.

Figure you'll pay 25$ a year to split this cost or $2.10 a month.

General maintanace is hard to figure. You don't know what condition the car was in and you shouldn't have to maintain her car. I wouldn't factor anything into something that might fail like the transmission or water pump. She can't expect you to take on these expenses. You should only pay for gas, oil, tire wear and maybe insurance (which is also determined by her past record).

BUT..

You may want to give her a little for doing all the driving even though you are getting her there quicker and she would have already been driving. She was however looking for someone that drives to split the task with her. So....(can you tell I'm bored yet?) here is what your expenses should be monthly.

Gas  = $50.00

Ins.  = $2.40

Oil    = $2.10

Tires =    .83

______________

total cost 55.33

Id say if you paid $60.00 you are being more than generous. I would actually say $50.00.

Her cost has gone way down and her time has been cut way down.