Difference cost in trip? 4.5 kms vs 16 kms?

fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 20:07
Last edited 20/12/2021 - 20:08

Hi all,

I have recently applied for a job with is approximately 10 more minutes away than my current. My current job is a contract and it's about 4.5km away and takes approximately 10 minutes to get there. New job is about 16km away and should take less than 20 minutes.

When I was running an online calculator it's calculating a cost that is triple (obviously as it's calculating the Kms). In both cases it's city driving, but the longer drive will be longer on a 70/80 km road.

So would cost be accurate? I think it is better to drive a bit longer for the car than these very short trips. New job would be permanent and score me an extra $100 net, but then if I think of the petrol (which would be about an extra $30 a week) the difference is minimal if I look at the money and not sure if worth it, if I was basing my decision on that.

Thanks for any input!

Automotive

Comments

  • pharkurnell on 20/12/2021 - 20:14
    +19

    Money isnt everything in life or work… career progression adn job satisfaction are worth more to me. nothign worse than hating getting up to go to a shit job you hate.

    • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 20:17

      Of course! Currently I don't hate my job, just a bit annoying is still temp. But then being an ozbargain I need to calculate money too. The difference it's really small so possibly I cannot count that to make my decision. But the fact the car is used for these really short trips isn't good. On the bright side it takes a very small time to get to work!
      For other reasons I wouldn't mind to be a bit further away from I live too.

      • aragornelessar on 20/12/2021 - 20:21

        Are you planning on a mortgage anytime soon? I imagine being a temp will make it much trickier

        • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 20:22
          +1

          Good point! We already have a mortgage and good credit history. Just a bit worried about job security really.

          • aragornelessar on 20/12/2021 - 21:34

            @fozzie: Refinancing? Not sure if they look at employment conditions, but secure job is much better than a contract any day of the week I reckon. Assuming you're not hating the job etc

  • Muzeeb on 20/12/2021 - 20:16
    +3

    Short trips kill cars

    • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 20:19

      I should try to cycle to work, it would be good for the environment and the pocket!

      • Kangal on 20/12/2021 - 20:22
        +1

        If eBike's weren't so expensive, I'd recommend that.
        Takes half the effort out of it, and makes it much more viable to ride to work for many people.

        I guess there's eScooters, which aren't as great but at least affordable.

        • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 20:24

          I have an ebike too. I just get a bit scared as on part would be on princess highway. I just need to find an alternate route maybe.

          • pharkurnell on 20/12/2021 - 21:52
            +1

            @fozzie: thinking back to the 90's, I was insane, but I used to do Mascot to Kurnell… airport tunnel, down grand pde n capt cook bridge etc…
            princes hwy would be chaos these days, it was back then when I used to do that for a change.

            Looking back now, WTF was I thinking…

    • FLICKIT on 20/12/2021 - 20:22
      +4

      and cars tend to use more fuel when cold and warming up, so even though you'll be travelling 16km rather than 4.5km you'll probably only use double the fuel…

      New job would be permanent and score me an extra $100 net,

      The security and peace of mind of a permanent position would make it a win for me…

      • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 20:25

        That is a great point! I have interview this week and I will see, I also need a feel of the place obviously.

      • nephilim on 20/12/2021 - 22:07
        +1

        Smarter every day did a good video on how that works in cars, basically a small spring is heated up and once the spring is warm the revs drop.. kinda amazing 100s of million people idle is cars waiting for a damn spring.

  • Euphemistic on 20/12/2021 - 20:55
    +2

    Of course the calculator is going to estimate 3x more. The bulk of the cost of running a car is directly related to how far you drive it. Not for how long.

    16km is within cycling distance. Should be able to do that in 40min and you can ditch the gym membership. Evoke will make it easier.

    • buckethat on 20/12/2021 - 22:10
      +1

      Would love to ride to work but man.. Melbourne's weather is too damn predictable.

      Could be nice and sunny on the way to work, but thunder storming on my way back.

      • Sleeqb7 on 21/12/2021 - 11:37

        I'm not OP, however;
        Also I feel Euphemistic is fairly optimistic. I average 15-17km/h when cycling, and between stationary and actual bike, I've been riding for years. That said, I'm in Brisbane so there are hills and not all of it will be bikeway/road/etc. When I'm on bikeways, 20km/h+ is easy, but in most trips the average is a fair bit lower.

        So the commute becomes an hour, and even in Winter I would require a shower at the other end of it, which if the workplace doesn't have, leaves me up the proverbial.

        I've thought about this a lot as my current role has me about 15km from home, so I'd enjoy riding, but jeez even going for a ride at 6am leaves me gross and sweaty this time of year.

        • Euphemistic on 21/12/2021 - 14:46

          I commuted for years. It used to take 15-20min for 7km. Sitting on 25km/h on a road bike is fairly comfortable. On MTB it’s closer to 20km/h. I typically averaged 20-23km/h on my commutes. Going home was usually 1-2min linger because it was more uphill and normally had a headwind.

          Currently my occasional commute is around 25min on way and 22min the other for just under 9km. It’s more uphill on the way to work but I’m also out of form for cycling.

          True, you need a shower at the end in our climate, Especially if you work in an office. I also needed about 10min to sit before showering else within 5min of showering I needed another.

      • fozzie on 21/12/2021 - 17:09

        Fair enough

    • weezlebub on 21/12/2021 - 11:44
      +1

      actually, if you're talking 4.5 - 16kms it won't be triple - rego & insurance & repairs are fixed costs …
      longer drives are better for your vehicle, so maybe less costs for repairs …
      if you've got a TDI, the 16kms might end up cheaper :)

      • Euphemistic on 21/12/2021 - 14:48

        Maybe if you do a full calculation on costs, but simple calculators are built on a km factor.

        Rego and insurance might be fixed costs, but servicing and repairs are generally km based. Depreciation is also affected by kms. The more you drive the less the vehicle is worth, in the eyes of a buyer.

  • tonyjzx on 20/12/2021 - 21:09
    +1

    The rule has been 75c per km for the last… decade?

    I mean you lucked out. 16km ie. 32km a day is great as long as its free flow.

    • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 21:16

      Didn’t know that rule. I was using this for calculating
      https://www.petrolcostcalculator.com.au/

    • skid on 20/12/2021 - 21:18

      7.5c or 75c?

      • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 21:22
        +1

        75c seems too much but 7.5 too little. Unless it’s calculating the overall including insurance etc

        • jellykingdom on 21/12/2021 - 09:47
          +1

          75c/km is what the tax office uses if you're claiming for business. It includes everything to run your car, including depreciation I believe (i.e the car is getting older/used and is worth less and less). Though you're not claiming for tax purposes, it's the easiest way to estimate the cost of your trip with fuel, maintenance, etc

  • buckethat on 20/12/2021 - 21:59
    +2

    Honestly.. 16km is still very close imo.. personally it wouldn't even be a factor.

    I would think more of career progression opportunity.. which job will allow you to learn and grow more?

    Also how much value is that extra $100/week for you?

    • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 22:04

      Very wise words, thank you. Both jobs are so close, either way I’m extremely lucky! I used to commute to the city on the train 3 hours return. That was tough!

      • buckethat on 20/12/2021 - 22:06
        +1

        Good luck mate, hope you pick the right one.

        • fozzie on 20/12/2021 - 22:08

          Thank you! Me too!

    • Ghost47 on 21/12/2021 - 11:39

      Depends on where OP lives. You can get a lot further faster in Melbourne compared to Sydney.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/12/2021 - 00:45
    +1

    I would be looking at whether the 2nd job is contract or not first, then the responsibilities and workload of the respective jobs
    Also consider the company brand and name and which one it is easier to find another job from
    Lastly I would consider the travel time, it seems neglible compared to the other 2 factors I mentioned

  • EightImmortals on 21/12/2021 - 14:07
    +2

    Ladies and Gentleman, the King of OzBarigain is in the room!

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