I Asked ChatGPT How Much It Costs To Own a Car Over the Course of One’s Lifetime — Here’s What It Said
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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No one said owning a car was cheap. And over the course of your life, those costs add up. According to ChatGPT, the average person will spend between $700,000 and $1 million on car ownership from age 18 to 85. This includes everything from buying multiple vehicles to filling up the tank, insurance and handling maintenance and repairs. Below is how ChatGPT broke down those costs.
Also here are hidden car costs that drive car owners mad.
Purchase
The biggest car-related cost is its initial purchase price. In June 2025, the average new car costs nearly $49,000, while used car prices averaged around $25,500, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB).
ChatGPT also pointed out that most Americans replace their cars every six to ten years, meaning they’ll own eight to ten vehicles during their lifetime. “Even accounting for trade-ins or resale value, lifetime spending on car purchases easily reaches $335,000 to $400,000,” ChatGPT explained.
Fuel and Energy
Fuel is the second-largest ongoing cost, but it fluctuates depending on gas prices, type of vehicle and driving habits.
The average American drives between 13,000 and 15,000 miles per year, ChatGPT said. At a gas price of $3.75 per gallon and a vehicle that gets 25 MPG, that’s about $2,000 to $2,250 annually. Over 67 years of driving, that adds up to $135,000 to $150,000.
Electric vehicle drivers can cut that cost significantly, especially if charged at home, it stated. However, EVs come with other tradeoffs such as higher upfront prices and charging challenges.
Insurance Premiums
Most states legally require auto insurance and it’s typically a consistent annual expense. According to Experian, the national average cost of car insurance is $2,314 per year or about $193 per month for full coverage.
Rates also vary widely by state. On the lower end, drivers in Vermont pay around $1,065 annually, while those in Maryland pay up to $4,323. Premiums fluctuate based on age, driving history, credit score, vehicle type and ZIP code.
Over your lifetime, insurance costs could range from $70,000 to over $155,000, depending on where you live and how your rates change over time, according to ChatGPT.
Maintenance and Repairs
Cars require regular maintenance and eventually some repairs. The average car owner spends over $900 per year on routine maintenance and unexpected repairs, ConsumerAffairs reported.
This adds up to around $60,000 to $70,000, assuming consistent upkeep and no major mechanical issues, ChatGPT calculated. Owners of luxury vehicles or aging cars could see much higher totals over time.
Taxes, Fees and Registration
Keeping the vehicle legal on the road comes with its own costs.
AAA’s 2024 Driving Costs report revealed that vehicle license, registration and taxes average about $815 per year across all vehicle types. This includes both the upfront costs when you buy a car and the annual fees required to keep it registered and insured.
EV and hybrid drivers may also pay an additional fee, which is designed to replace lost gas tax revenue and can vary depending on the state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), EV registration fees range from $50 in Colorado to $290 in New Jersey (set to take effect in 2028). Hybrid vehicle fees generally fall between $50 and $150 per year.
This adds up to $50,000 to $55,000 per year, ChatGPT said.
Interest
Unless you paid with cash, you’ll likely pay thousands of dollars in interest during your life. According to ChatGPT, a $40,000 new car loan with terms of 60 to 72 months and interest rates between 6% and 9% would cost $30,000 to $60,000 in interest payments alone.
Parking, Tolls and Other Hidden Costs
These costs are often overlooked, but can still make a difference.
According to SpotHero and as analyzed by ChatGPT, the average monthly parking fee in major U.S. cities is $226.50, with some cities like New York City reaching $600.
Tolls, bridges, permits and parking tickets can also make a difference over decades. In New York, MTA tolls for common crossings like the RFK Bridge or Queens Midtown Tunnel are $6.94 each way with E-ZPass or up to $11.19 without it, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
On the low end, ChatGPT gave a total of $50,000 for suburban drivers, while urban commuters could pay as much as $230,000.
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