The Hidden Cost of Driving to UPS for Returns
You think driving to UPS is "free" because you already own a car. But every trip has real costs: gas, wear and tear, depreciation, time, and stress. When you add it all up, that "quick" trip to UPS might cost $10-30+—more than hiring someone to pick it up from your door.
Let's break down the true cost of driving to UPS for returns.
The Obvious Cost: Gas
This is the cost people actually think about.
Gas Cost Per Trip
Average distance to UPS Store: 5-10 miles (round trip: 10-20 miles)
Gas cost calculation:
- Average car: 25 MPG
- Gas price: $3.50/gallon (varies by location)
- 20 miles ÷ 25 MPG = 0.8 gallons
- 0.8 gallons × $3.50 = $2.80 per trip
Range: $2-5 per trip (depending on distance and gas prices)
Annual Gas Cost
If you make 8-12 returns per year:
- 8 returns × $2.80 = $22.40 per year
- 12 returns × $2.80 = $33.60 per year
Not huge, but it adds up.
The Hidden Cost: Wear and Tear
This is where it gets expensive. Every mile you drive costs money in wear and tear.
IRS Mileage Rate
The IRS calculates the cost of driving at $0.655 per mile (2024 rate). This includes:
- Gas
- Oil changes
- Tire wear
- Brake wear
- Depreciation
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Repairs
Real Cost Per Trip
20-mile round trip × $0.655 = $13.10 per trip
That's $13.10, not $2.80.
Annual Wear and Tear Cost
If you make 8-12 returns per year:
- 8 returns × $13.10 = $104.80 per year
- 12 returns × $13.10 = $157.20 per year
You're spending $100-160+ per year just on wear and tear for returns.
The Time Cost
Driving takes time, and time is money.
Driving Time Per Trip
- Getting ready: 2-3 minutes
- Driving to UPS: 8-15 minutes
- Finding parking: 2-5 minutes
- Driving home: 8-15 minutes
Total driving time: 20-38 minutes per trip
Time Value
If your time is worth $30/hour:
- 30 minutes × $30/hour = $15.00 in time
If your time is worth $50/hour:
- 30 minutes × $50/hour = $25.00 in time
You're spending $15-25+ in time just driving.
The Stress Cost
Driving has hidden stress costs:
- Traffic stress: Especially in cities
- Parking stress: Finding a spot, paying for parking
- Time pressure: Fitting it into your schedule
- Weather stress: Rain, snow, heat
Value: Hard to quantify, but real
The Environmental Cost
Every mile you drive has an environmental impact:
- Carbon emissions: ~0.4 pounds CO2 per mile
- 20-mile trip: ~8 pounds CO2
Annual impact (12 returns):
- 240 miles × 0.4 = 96 pounds CO2 per year
Not huge, but every bit counts.
The Complete Cost Breakdown
Let's add it all up for a single trip to UPS:
Cost Per Trip
| Cost Type | Amount | Notes | |-----------|--------|-------| | Gas | $2.80 | Obvious cost | | Wear & Tear | $13.10 | IRS rate | | Time (at $30/hr) | $15.00 | 30 minutes driving | | Parking | $0-5 | If needed | | Stress | ? | Hard to quantify | | Total | $30.90-33.90 | Per trip |
Annual Cost (12 returns)
- Gas: $33.60
- Wear & Tear: $157.20
- Time: $180.00 (at $30/hour)
- Parking: $0-60
- Total: $370.80-430.80 per year
You're spending $370-430+ per year just on driving to UPS for returns.
The Comparison: Driving vs. Pickup Service
Cost Comparison
Driving to UPS (per return):
- Gas: $2.80
- Wear & Tear: $13.10
- Time: $15.00 (at $30/hour)
- Total: $30.90
Pickup Service:
- Service fee: $20
- Your time: $0.50 (1 minute to book)
- Total: $20.50
Savings: $10.40 per return
Annual Comparison (12 returns)
Driving:
- $370.80-430.80 per year
Pickup Service:
- $240 per year (12 × $20)
Savings: $130.80-190.80 per year
Plus you save:
- Stress
- Environmental impact
- Time (60-90 minutes per return)
- Parking hassles
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Urban Driver
Situation: Lives in city, 3 miles to UPS, pays for parking
Cost per trip:
- Gas: $2.00
- Wear & Tear: $3.93 (6 miles)
- Time: $15.00
- Parking: $5.00
- Total: $25.93
Pickup service: $20 Savings: $5.93 per return
Scenario 2: Suburban Driver
Situation: Lives in suburbs, 8 miles to UPS, free parking
Cost per trip:
- Gas: $4.48
- Wear & Tear: $10.48 (16 miles)
- Time: $15.00
- Parking: $0
- Total: $29.96
Pickup service: $20 Savings: $9.96 per return
Scenario 3: Rural Driver
Situation: Lives in rural area, 15 miles to UPS, free parking
Cost per trip:
- Gas: $8.40
- Wear & Tear: $19.65 (30 miles)
- Time: $25.00 (longer drive)
- Parking: $0
- Total: $53.05
Pickup service: $20 Savings: $33.05 per return
Rural drivers save the most!
The Break-Even Analysis
At what distance does a pickup service break even?
Break-even point: When pickup service cost = driving cost
- Pickup service: $20
- Gas + Wear & Tear: ~$16 per 20-mile trip
- Break-even time cost: $4
If your time is worth $30/hour:
- Break-even driving time: 8 minutes
If your round trip takes more than 8 minutes, pickup services save you money.
Since most people's round trip takes 20-30 minutes, pickup services save money for almost everyone.
Additional Benefits of Pickup Services
Beyond cost savings, pickup services offer:
No Driving Required
- Safety: No risk of accidents
- Convenience: No need to leave home
- Weather: Works in any weather
- Accessibility: Great for people who can't drive
Time Savings
- Your time: 1 minute to book
- Driver's time: They handle everything
- Total time saved: 60-90 minutes per return
Stress Reduction
- No traffic: Stay home
- No parking: No need to find a spot
- No schedule: Book anytime, they come to you
- No weather worries: Works rain or shine
Environmental Benefits
- Fewer miles: One driver handles multiple returns
- Route optimization: More efficient than individual trips
- Reduced emissions: Less overall driving
When Driving Makes Sense
Driving to UPS can make sense if:
- You're already going that way: If UPS is on your regular route
- You enjoy driving: Some people like getting out
- You have plenty of time: And don't value your time highly
- You're very cost-conscious: And your time value is low
- You're doing other errands: Combining trips makes sense
But for most people, especially those who:
- Value their time
- Live far from UPS
- Have busy schedules
- Don't enjoy driving
- Want to reduce environmental impact
Pickup services are a better choice.
The Bottom Line
Driving to UPS isn't free.
When you factor in all costs:
- Gas: $2-5 per trip
- Wear & Tear: $10-20 per trip (IRS rate)
- Time: $15-25 per trip (at $30-50/hour)
- Parking: $0-5 per trip
- Total: $27-50+ per trip
Annual cost (12 returns): $324-600+ per year
Pickup services:
- Cost $20 per return
- Save you $7-30+ per return
- Save you $84-360+ per year
- Plus time savings, stress reduction, and environmental benefits
The math is clear: For most people, pickup services are cheaper than driving yourself.
But more importantly, they give you back your time and eliminate the stress of fitting returns into your schedule.
Ready to save money and time? Learn how Returnful works or text us at 469-790-7579.
Want to calculate your personal driving costs? Text us at 469-790-7579 and we'll help you figure it out.
Written by
Returnful Team
Part of the Returnful team, helping DFW residents save time on their online returns with same-day pickup service.
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