The commute emissions calculator compares the annual CO2 footprint of different ways to get to work — solo car, carpool, bus, train, bicycle, and remote work. Transportation is the largest source of emissions for most households.
Commute Details
Used for solo car and carpool modes
Based on US EPA emission factors. Actual values vary by vehicle and local transit fill rates.
How to Compare Commute Emissions
Enter your one-way commute distance, days per week, and current mode of transport. The commute emissions calculator shows your annual CO2 output and compares all available alternatives.
Mode by Mode Comparison
Solo car is typically the highest-emission option at 0.13-0.21 kg CO2 per mile. Carpooling with 3 other people immediately quarters those emissions. Public transit varies: full buses and trains are 3-10× better than solo cars, but empty transit can be surprisingly carbon-intensive per passenger.
Working From Home
Eliminating commuting saves 100% of commute transport emissions. A 15-mile car commute 5 days/week produces about 820 kg CO2 per year. Working from home 2 days a week saves 330 kg CO2 annually — plus fuel and time savings. The modest increase in home energy use (50-100 kg CO2/year) is easily offset.
FAQ
Is this commute calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
How much CO2 does a typical car commute produce?
The average US car emits about 0.21 kg CO2 per mile (0.13 kg/km). A typical 15-mile round-trip commute 5 days a week produces about 820 kg CO2 per year — nearly a tonne. An electric car on the US average grid cuts this by 55-70%. Carpooling with just one other person halves the per-person emissions immediately.
Is public transit really that much better than driving?
On average, yes: a full bus emits 0.09 kg CO2/passenger-mile (3× lower than solo car), and commuter rail is 0.06 kg CO2/passenger-mile. However, an empty bus on a low-ridership route can have higher per-passenger emissions than a full car. Dense urban transit is dramatically better; rural transit varies.
How much CO2 does working from home save?
Eliminating a 15-mile car commute 5 days a week saves about 820 kg CO2/year from transportation. However, working from home increases home energy use by an estimated 50-100 kg CO2/year. Net savings are around 700-750 kg CO2 per year — a meaningful reduction.
Does this support metric and imperial?
Yes. Enter commute distance in miles or kilometers using the toggle at the top. All calculations automatically adjust.