How do you work out the cost of petrol per mile?

[boona]

Just wondered how I work it out? I have a family member who always wants me to pick up her child etc but she lives a few miles away. Its eating my petrol and I told her. She said she will pay me for petrol but I dont know how much to charge! I just need her to cover the costs as I dont have a lot of disposable income to spare!

[Buenchico]

Fill tank.& set trip meter to zero. (Or just note the odometer reading).

Drive until tank is fairly low.

Fill tank, noting price of fuel and trip meter reading (or difference between 'start' & finish odometer readings).

Divide price of fuel (in pence) by the number of miles you've drivemn since you last filled up.
e.g. if it costs you £36 to fill up after driving 300 miles, your sum is 3600p divided by 300 miles = 12p per mile.

Chris

[DTCwordfan]

charge what HM Revenue allow for expenses - 40p a mile on the first 10k miles.....

[factor-fiction]

The HMRC figure of 40p is intended to cover more than the cost of petrol- it contributes to maintenace, oil, insurance, tax etc.
If you want to cover just fuel costs and don't trust your maths then this online tool may help
http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.shtml

[factor-fiction]

For a fairly short journey I think a figure of 15-20p a mile is reasonable. Suggest 20p

[Andyvon]

Is it cheaper for this person to use you than call a taxi Boona? It's a real cheek for these people to expect you to use your car as a cheap taxi. Not only do you have fuel costs but also wear and tear and the hassle of doing the run. Of course, once you start acting as a cheap taxi you feel obliged to do it all the time and the other person expects that. The moment you say you can't do the trip anymore, you are in the wrong!

I had this a while ago whenever I collected my wife from her social club. There was always someone who had asked for a lift "if you are going my way". Of course, they asked my wife - not me! It became apparent the only reason they asked was because it was cheaper for me to drive them home at my expense rather than them call a taxi. They would just get out at the other end, say "Thanks" and walk off! They had travelled home free at my expense and it had cost them nothing! What a cheek!

One night I put a stop to it. When a woman asked my wife for her usual lift home I made a point in front of everyone of taking out my wallet and slapping £3 on the table. I told her that was the cost of her taxi. She was very embarrassed and protested but I told her in front of everyone that it actually cost me less to give her the money than drive her home using my fuel, wear and tear etc. My wife had no more requests from anyone for a free ride home after that!

Perhaps tell your family member that from now on you will contribute towards the cost of a taxi. She will be embrrassed and refuse, but if you explain it will be cheaper for you to do that as you can no longer afford the cost, she'll probably pay her own way in future. Besides. this person obviously doesn't think much of you otherwise she wouldn't take advantage.

[boona]

Yes you are quiet right, It is expensive for me to run my car at them moment but I dont want to sell it as it is very handy for me and my baby. I can afford to do the running around for myself and just in my local area but when I have to travel an additional 12 mile round trip it drives me mad!