The overall expense of an automobile is unchanged (from 2006) at 52.2 cents per mile, when all factors like purchase price, depreciation, and routine maintenance are factored in. The average cost of gas decreased, compared to last year, but all other factors increased.Depreciation was the highest cost, at $3,392 or 22.6 cents a mile, followed by gas at $2,100 or 14 cents a mile, insurance at $985 or 6.6 cents a mile, finance costs in fourth place, and taxes in fifth, at $538 or 3.6 cents per mile.The good news is that the overall cost is unchanged from last year. The bad news is “that’s darned expensive. A 20-mile round trip to the mall is costing you $10,” says Michael Calkins, manager of AAA’s approved auto repair operation and author of the study.I have an 11.5 mile commute each way, so based on that average it costs me $12 to get to work and back each day. Yuck. My truck is paid for, but I’d hate to know what mileage that old clunker gets. Probably in the single digits. News source: Butch Bailey