Typical leases allow 10,000–15,000 miles a year and charge $0.15–$0.30 for each extra mile. Buying extra miles upfront is usually cheaper than paying at the end.
How to use the Lease Mileage Calculator
- Lease length
- Months elapsed
- Miles driven so far
- Annual mileage allowance
- Excess mileage fee per mile
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the lease length, months elapsed, the current odometer reading (miles driven on the lease), the yearly allowance and the excess mileage fee.
Tips
- Compare loans by APR and total cost, not just the monthly payment.
- Extra payments go straight to principal and can save a lot of interest.
- Pay off the highest-rate debt first if you want to save the most money.
- Check for prepayment penalties before paying a loan off early.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Stretching a loan term to lower the payment without seeing the extra interest.
- Paying only the minimum on credit cards.
- Forgetting fees that are rolled into the loan.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Lease length | In months |
| Months elapsed | A number |
| Miles driven so far | In mi |
| Annual mileage allowance | In mi |
| Excess mileage fee per mile | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Total allowed miles = [Annual mileage allowance]×[Lease length]÷12
- Projected miles at lease end = [Miles driven so far]÷[Months elapsed]×[Lease length]
- Projected excess miles = max([Projected miles at lease end] – [Total allowed miles], 0)
- Projected excess mileage charge = [Projected excess miles]×[Excess mileage fee per mile]
- Miles left per month to stay within the allowance = max(([Total allowed miles] – [Miles driven so far])÷([Lease length] – [Months elapsed]), 0)
Example values
How the main result changes when Lease length changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Lease length (months) | Projected excess mileage charge |
|---|---|
| 18 | 803.57 |
| 27 | 1,205.36 |
| 36 | 1,607.14 |
| 45 | 2,008.93 |
| 54 | 2,410.71 |
| 72 | 3,214.29 |
Formula
Allowed miles = annual allowance × lease months ÷ 12Projected miles = miles driven ÷ months elapsed × lease monthsExcess charge = max(projected − allowed, 0) × fee per mileWorked example
Inputs — Lease length: 36 months; Months elapsed: 14; Miles driven so far: 16,500 mi; Annual mileage allowance: 12,000 mi; Excess mileage fee per mile: $0.25.
Results — Total allowed miles = 36,000; Projected miles at lease end = 42,429; Projected excess miles = 6,429; Projected excess mileage charge = $1,607.14; Miles left per month to stay within the allowance = 886.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I go over my lease miles?
You pay a per-mile fee, usually $0.15–$0.30, when you return the car.
Can I buy extra miles?
Often yes, at a lower rate if bought at signing.
Does buying the car at the end avoid mileage fees?
Yes – excess mileage charges apply only if you return it.
What formula does the Lease Mileage Calculator use?
Allowed miles = annual allowance × lease months ÷ 12.