Lease Mileage Overage Calculator
Project whether you’ll exceed your car lease’s mileage allowance and what the excess-mileage charge will cost at turn-in.
How it works
Allowed = allowance × term ÷ 12 · Projected = your rate × term ÷ 12 · Excess = max(0, projected − allowed) · Charge = excess × fee
Lease contracts bundle a fixed number of miles into the payment and bill each extra mile at a set rate at turn-in, commonly $0.15–$0.30. This projects your full-term mileage from your current driving rate and compares it to the total allowance. If you are trending over, buying extra miles up front is often cheaper than the turn-in penalty, and if you plan to buy the car at lease-end the overage charge does not apply.
Worked example
A 36-month lease with a 12,000 mi/yr allowance permits 36,000 miles. Driving 15,000 mi/yr means 45,000 miles — 9,000 over. At $0.25 per mile that is a $2,250 charge at turn-in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I avoid overage charges?
You can buy additional miles up front (usually cheaper per mile than the turn-in rate), drive less, or purchase the vehicle at lease-end — in which case excess-mileage charges no longer apply.
What is a typical overage fee?
Most leases charge between $0.15 and $0.30 per excess mile, with luxury brands often at the higher end. The exact rate is stated in your lease agreement.
Are unused miles refunded?
Almost never. Standard leases do not credit you for driving under the allowance, so choosing a mileage tier close to your real usage avoids paying for miles you won’t use.
Related calculators
Educational estimate — real figures vary by vehicle, lender, dealer and local rules.