Why your mileage choice matters
Every lease comes with a yearly mileage allowance. Stay under it, and you turn the car in without a mileage bill. Go over, and you pay a per-mile charge on every extra mile at the end of the lease.
The allowance also affects your payment. Fewer miles means the car is expected to be worth more at the end, so the payment is lower. More miles means a higher payment. The goal is to choose the allowance that matches how you actually drive, not the one with the most attractive payment.
The common mileage options
- 7,500 miles a year: works for people who mostly drive locally, work from home, or have a second car for longer trips. Many advertised specials use this number because it makes the payment look lowest.
- 10,000 miles a year: a popular middle ground for local errands, a short commute and the occasional weekend trip.
- 12,000 miles a year: a good fit for a typical daily commute plus regular driving on weekends.
- 15,000 miles a year: for longer commutes, frequent road trips, or drivers who are always on the road.
Some leasing companies offer higher allowances too. Options vary by brand and program, so ask what’s available on the car you want.
How to estimate your real annual miles
Don’t guess. Use real numbers from the car you drive now.
Method 1: Check your odometer history
Look at a service receipt or inspection record from a year ago and compare it to your odometer today. The difference is your annual mileage. If you’ve had the car a few years, divide total miles by the years you’ve owned it.
Method 2: Build it from your week
- Round-trip commute × workdays per week × about 48 working weeks
- Plus errands, school runs and weekend driving
- Plus any regular trips: the shore in summer, visiting family, holidays
For example, a 30-mile round-trip commute five days a week is about 7,200 miles a year on its own. Add errands and a few trips to the shore, and you can easily land near 11,000 or 12,000.
Think about what’s coming
A lease usually runs two to three years. Are you changing jobs, moving, going back to the office, or expecting a new driver in the family? Plan for the next three years, not the last one.
Buying miles upfront vs. paying overage
If you think you’ll go over, you have two choices:
- Buy more miles upfront. Choose a higher allowance when you sign. The cost is built into your monthly payment.
- Pay overage at the end. Take the lower allowance and pay the per-mile charge in your contract for every mile over when you turn the car in.
Buying miles upfront is usually cheaper per mile than paying overage later. It also spreads the cost over your payments instead of leaving you with a surprise bill on turn-in day.
That said, don’t overbuy. Unused miles generally aren’t refunded when you return the car, so paying for 15,000 a year when you drive 9,000 is money left on the table. If you’re unsure, a slightly higher allowance is a safer bet than a much higher one.
Rule of thumb: pick the allowance just above your honest estimate, not far above it and never below it.
What if you end up over anyway?
It happens. If you’re heading over your miles late in the lease, you still have options. You could buy the car at lease end, in which case mileage charges don’t apply. You might trade it in, since some cars carry enough value to cover the gap. Or you can simply plan for the overage so it isn’t a shock. Starting the conversation a few months before your lease ends gives you the most choices.
Compare quotes on the same miles
When you shop, make sure every quote uses the same mileage. A 7,500-mile lease will always look cheaper than a 12,000-mile lease on the same car, but it isn’t a better deal if you drive 12,000 miles. Our current lease deals list the miles per year on every special, and we can re-quote any of them at the allowance you actually need.
Questions
Can I change my mileage allowance after I sign?
Usually not. Most leasing companies don’t let you add miles mid-lease, which is why getting the number right at signing matters.
Is 10,000 miles a year enough?
For many local drivers, yes. If you have a daily commute of more than about 20 miles each way, 12,000 or more is usually a safer choice.
Do unused miles get refunded?
Generally, no. Some programs offer credit in specific cases, but you shouldn’t count on it. Choose an allowance close to what you’ll use.
Got a quote with the wrong miles, or not sure the number fits how you drive? Send it to us and Arthur will compare it at the mileage you really need. Free delivery anywhere in PA, NJ and DE.