Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Household Expenditures on Transport, United States, 2005

Vehicle operations is the largest transport expenditure, accounting for more than half of the household transport expenditure. However, some costs are more complex to calculate. For instance, motorists will readily pay fuel prices as they drive, but will assume occasionally maintenance costs (e.g. an oil change or a flat tire) and will only realize depreciation costs if they sell their vehicle.