Originally Posted by
MD88Driver
The cost is not just gas. The gov mileage rate is north of $.45/mile. That is depreciation, maintenance, etc. A better comparison would be a taxi service. Professional transportation, government certified with commercial vehicle,etc. Plus add travel time; how valuable is your time (or your employees) in spending their time on the road versus flying. Much better comparison.
I run a side business that is doing contract work about 800 miles from where I live. I can drive the round trip and write off the miles which comes out to a tax write off of $750 or so. That is what the government says it "costs" me to drive my car for that round trip. I spend about $200 for gas and $50 for food on the driving. Roundtrip ticket purchased 5 days in advance costs me about $700. Still takes me about 7 hours to get there if I fly so it saves me 5 hours, but then I have to rent a car or bum a ride from someone. I've only flown once.