How Mileage Reimbursement Comparator Works?
This tool works by subtracting your actual fuel cost per mile from the reimbursement rate per mile and multiplying by reimbursed business miles. The result is the surplus left after fuel.
Enter the reimbursement rate
Type the rate your employer pays per mile. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard mileage rate was $0.67 per mile in 2024 and $0.70 in 2025.
Enter actual fuel cost per mile
Type your fuel price divided by miles per gallon (MPG). $3.50 at 25 MPG equals $0.14 per mile.
Enter reimbursed business miles
Type the miles claimed in the period, for example 650 miles (1,046 km).
Read the surplus
The tool returns the dollars left after fuel.
Mileage Reimbursement Comparator Formula
The formula is Surplus = (Reimbursement Rate − Fuel Cost per Mile) × Business Miles.
Surplus = (Reimbursement Rate − Fuel Cost per Mile) × MilesFormula variables
- Reimbursement Rate
- Dollars paid per business mile.
- Fuel Cost per Mile
- Actual fuel spending per mile.
- Miles
- Business miles reimbursed.
Worked example
- Reimbursement Rate: $0.67/mi
- Actual Fuel Cost per Mile: $0.14/mi
- Reimbursed Business Miles: 650 miles
- Per-mile surplus: $0.67 − $0.14 = $0.53.
- Total surplus: $0.53 × 650 = $344.50.
Result: $344.50 ($ net profit/surplus)
The surplus is not profit. The IRS rate covers fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, and depreciation, so most of the $0.53 per mile pays for vehicle wear and ownership costs.
Mileage Reimbursement Comparator Conversion Table
The table shows the surplus over 650 miles for 4 reimbursement rates at 3 fuel costs per mile.
Rows: Reimbursement Rate ($/mi). Columns: Actual Fuel Cost per Mile ($/mi). Cells: $ net profit/surplus.
| $/mi | $0.10/mi | $0.14/mi | $0.20/mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.50/mi | $260.00 | $234.00 | $195.00 |
| $0.67/mi | $370.50 | $344.50 | $305.50 |
| $0.70/mi | $390.00 | $364.00 | $325.00 |
| $0.80/mi | $455.00 | $429.00 | $390.00 |
Values held constant: Reimbursed Business Miles = 650 miles.
A $0.50 rate against a $0.20 fuel cost leaves $195.00 over 650 miles, which covers less of the vehicle's other costs.
What is Mileage Reimbursement Comparator?
The Mileage Reimbursement Comparator is a tool that compares a mileage reimbursement rate with the real fuel cost of the miles driven. The tool shows how much of each reimbursed mile remains after fuel.
Employers often reimburse business driving at a flat rate per mile. Fuel is only 1 part of the cost of driving, so comparing the rate with fuel alone shows how much remains for other costs.
The comparator helps employees judge whether a company rate is fair and helps employers set a rate.
What are the uses of Mileage Reimbursement Comparator?
There are 4 main uses of the Mileage Reimbursement Comparator: checking employer rates, setting company mileage policies, comparing vehicles for business use, and planning self-employed tax choices.
Checking employer rates
Employees see whether a $0.50 rate covers fuel and wear.
Setting company mileage policies
Employers compare rates with typical fuel costs.
Comparing vehicles for business use
Sales reps see how an efficient car raises the surplus.
Planning self-employed tax choices
Freelancers compare the standard rate with actual expenses.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.