School Run Calculator
Calculate the cost and time of your school run. Compare walking, driving and cycling options between home and school with annual cost estimates.
School Run Calculator
Cost the School Run Three Ways: Driving, Walking, Cycling
The average UK primary school run is 5 to 7 miles round-trip per day; secondary school adds another mile or two on top. The School Run Calculator routes between your home and school addresses using OpenStreetMap, then runs the trip three ways (driving, walking, cycling), showing distance, time per leg, and the annual cost based on a configurable cost-per-mile (default 45p, the HMRC business mileage rate).
At 6 miles per day, 190 school days a year, and 45p per mile, the typical UK primary school run costs roughly £513 a year just in fuel and wear. Cycling drops that to near-zero (a few pounds in chain wear and the occasional puncture) and walking eliminates it entirely while adding the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise that fewer than 30% of UK kids currently get.
Why Walking the School Run Saves More Than Money
Roughly half of UK primary children are driven to school despite living within easy walking distance (under a mile). The reasons are usually time pressure or weather, but the 'driving is faster' assumption often doesn't hold up: traffic outside schools at drop-off and pick-up is famously bad, and parking is tighter still. The calculator gives you the real comparison; in many cases driving saves only a few minutes versus walking, and cycling beats driving outright in heavy traffic.
If you're considering moving closer to a school (or further from a busy commute), pair this with the [Walking Route Calculator](/walking-route-calculator) to plan alternative routes, and the [Fuel Consumption Calculator](/fuel-consumption-calculator) to refine the cost-per-mile for your specific car.
Annual Cost of the School Run by Distance and Mode
| Round-trip Distance | Driving (45p/mile) | Cycling | Walking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 miles | £171/year | £0 - £10/year | Free + 30 min exercise |
| 5 miles | £428/year | £0 - £20/year | Free + 75 min exercise |
| 8 miles | £684/year | £0 - £30/year | 1.5 - 2 hours/day walking |
| 12 miles | £1,026/year | £0 - £50/year | Driving usually only practical option |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average UK school run distance?
Around 5 to 7 miles per day for primary schools (including the return trip), and 7 to 10 miles for secondary schools. About 24% of UK morning rush-hour traffic is school-related according to government surveys, which is why traffic outside schools is so consistently heavy.
What cost-per-mile should I use for my car?
HMRC's business mileage rate is 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, falling to 25p above that. This figure includes fuel, depreciation, insurance, MOT, and tyres. For pure fuel cost, use roughly 15p to 20p per mile for a petrol car, or 12p to 15p for a diesel.
Is the routing accurate for school traffic?
The routing uses OpenStreetMap free-flow data, so it does not factor in school-time traffic. Real journey times during the morning peak (8:15 to 8:55) and afternoon peak (3:00 to 3:30) can be 50% to 100% longer than the figure shown. Adjust your planning accordingly.
Can I claim school-run mileage on my tax return?
No. School runs are personal, even if you stop at the office afterwards. HMRC's mileage rules treat school drop-off as 'personal travel' and the journey only becomes business once you leave the school heading to a work destination, with mileage measured from there onwards.
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