Data from a AAA study shows the average cost of driving a passenger vehicle in the United States is nearly unchanged from one year ago despite higher costs for gasoline. This year AAA estimates it will cost an average of 56.1 cents per mile or $8,410 per year to own and operate a new passenger car, compared to $56.2 cents per mile or $8,431 annually in 2004. Offsetting higher gasoline costs are reductions in the annual average cost of insurance, licensing, registration and taxes, as well as tires and maintenance. The cost of gasoline in 2005 is estimated to average 8.5 cents per mile or $1,285 per year in the AAA study, compared to 6.5 cents per mile or $975 last year. AAA's study calculates the average costs of all expenses associated with owning and operating a vehicle over five years and 75,000 miles of driving using a compact, mid-size and large vehicle. Covered expenses include vehicle depreciation, insurance, fuel, tires, license, registration and taxes, vehicle financing, routine maintenance and repair. Vehicle depreciation, insurance and routine maintenance top the list as the three most expensive costs attributed to driving an automobile. AAA estimates the average new car will depreciate $3,879 per year of ownership, compared to $3,782 in 2004. The second largest expense is full insurance coverage estimated to average $1,288 per year compared to $1,603 in 2004. Routine maintenance - including the manufacturer's recommended maintenance operations and tire expense -- is estimated to cost 5.9 cents per mile or $885, compared to 6.1 cents per mile or $915 last year.