Commute Mode Comparison
Driving, transit, biking or walking — every RTO office day you choose a mode. Compare all four side by side on cost, time and carbon, and see which one actually wins for your route.
Your route
Your inputs are saved only in your browser (LocalStorage) and shared via the URL hash — nothing is uploaded.
Mode-by-mode comparison
Enter your numbers above — results update instantly.
How the comparison works
Each mode is converted to the same three units: cost (weekly and yearly), time (hours per week, at realistic door-to-door speeds of 30 mph driving, 20 mph transit, 10 mph biking, 3 mph walking), and carbon (about 0.89 lbs CO2 per mile driven, 0.20 lbs per transit passenger-mile, zero for bike and walk).
Frequently asked questions
Is biking to the office actually worth it?
For short one-way trips (under 5 miles) biking usually wins on both cost and carbon, and the time penalty is modest. Beyond 10 miles one way, the time cost usually dominates. This calculator shows the trade-off directly — compare the hours column.
Does transit really beat driving on cost?
It depends on parking and tolls. With expensive downtown parking, a monthly pass often wins; with cheap free parking and a short drive, fuel alone can be cheaper. The table makes the break-even obvious.
How much CO2 does my car commute emit?
Roughly 0.89 lbs of CO2 per mile for an average car. Switching two office days a week from driving to transit or biking cuts both your cost and your carbon — the yearly column shows the combined effect.
Can I combine modes for the best result?
Absolutely — park-and-ride, bike-to-bus, or walking to the train are all common hybrids. Run this calculator for your longest leg first, then estimate the last mile separately; many commuters land on a mixed model that beats any single mode.
Related tools
RTO Commute Cost Calculator
Full commute budget with tolls and time value of money.
Real Hourly Wage Calculator
Convert commute hours into your true hourly pay.
Home Energy Bill Split
What you save on energy when you stay home more.
2026 RTO Policies Complete Guide
Optimize the schedule, not just the mode.