A taxi ride costs $6.79 to $120 per ride in 2026
A taxi ride costs $6.79 to $120 per ride in 2026. ThePricer lists $8 to $15 for a 1 to 3 mile trip and $15 to $35 for a 5 to 10 mile trip. Daily Passport lists a 5 mile ride at $19.28 in Chicago and $30.30 in New York. Distance, city, time of day, and airport trips move the price.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| ThePricer | ThePricer says a taxi starts at $3 to $5, then $2.50 to $4 per mile, with Los Angeles at about $2.97 per mile, with 1 to 3 mile trips at $8 to $15, 5 to 10 mile trips at $15 to $35, 15 to 25 mile trips at $35 to $75 or more, airport rides at $50 to $120 or more, and a tip of 15% to 20%. |
| Daily Passport | Daily Passport lists a 5 mile taxi ride at $19.28 in Chicago, $22.55 in Los Angeles, $25.86 in Las Vegas, $27.35 in Miami, and $30.30 in New York, and a 1 mile ride at $6.79 in Chicago and $11.22 in Miami, and a 10 mile ride at $33.86 in Chicago and $54.80 in New York. |
| NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission | The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists a $3.00 starting charge, 70 cents per one fifth mile, a $1.00 overnight surcharge, a $2.50 rush hour surcharge, and a $70 flat fare from JFK to Manhattan, plus a $5.00 LaGuardia surcharge. |
Taxi fare by distance and city
| Trip or city | Fare | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 mile trip | $8 to $15 | ThePricer |
| 5 to 10 mile trip | $15 to $35 | ThePricer |
| 15 to 25 mile trip | $35 to $75 or more | ThePricer |
| Airport transfer | $50 to $120 or more | ThePricer |
| JFK to Manhattan, flat fare | $70 | NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission |
| 5 mile ride in Chicago | $19.28 | Daily Passport |
| 5 mile ride in Los Angeles | $22.55 | Daily Passport |
| 10 mile ride in New York | $54.80 | Daily Passport |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Distance | Taxis charge per mile. ThePricer lists $8 to $15 for 1 to 3 miles and $35 to $75 or more for 15 to 25 miles. |
| City | Each city sets its own fares. Daily Passport lists a 5 mile ride at $19.28 in Chicago, $22.55 in Los Angeles, and $30.30 in New York. |
| Time and traffic | Meters keep running when traffic is slow. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists a $1.00 overnight surcharge and a $2.50 rush hour surcharge. |
| Airport trips | Many cities use flat fares or add fees. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists $70 from JFK to Manhattan and a $5.00 LaGuardia surcharge. |
| Tips and extras | Tolls and tips add to the fare. ThePricer says a tip of 15% to 20% is common. |
What the price includes
The fare usually covers the meter, which starts with a base charge and adds miles and slow time. Tolls, airport fees, late night fees, and rush hour fees may be added. A tip is not part of the fare. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists a $3.00 starting charge in New York City.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Taxi fares are set by the city or county, so the rates are posted and the meter must follow them. A meter starts with a base charge, then adds miles and slow time. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists a $3.00 starting charge and 70 cents per one fifth mile. Some cities add fees for rush hour, nights, tolls, and airports. A tip is not part of the fare. ThePricer says 15% to 20% is common. Many cabs take cards, and some add a card fee. Ask for the fare or the rate before you go on a long trip.
When you need this
A taxi helps when you have no car, need a ride to the airport, or have bags, a late night, or a short trip with no bus. It is often the fastest way to cross a city when transit is slow. For a long trip, compare the taxi price with transit, a shuttle, or a friend.
How to judge your quote
- Does the meter start at the posted base charge for your city?
- Is there a flat fare for your route, such as an airport trip?
- Are tolls, airport fees, and late night fees listed before you ride?
- Can you pay by card, and is there a fee for it?
- Compare the total with the range above: $7 to $120 per ride for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for the flat fare before you ride from an airport. Some cities set a flat price, like $70 from JFK to Manhattan in New York.
- Avoid rush hour and late night fees when you can. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists a $2.50 rush hour fee and a $1.00 overnight fee.
- Share a ride with a friend. The fare is the same for the car, so each person pays less.
- Check the route on a map app. Slow traffic raises the meter, so a faster road may cost less even if it is longer.
- Use transit for long trips when you can. A 10 mile taxi ride can cost $33.86 in Chicago and $54.80 in New York.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from ThePricer, Daily Passport and NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a taxi cost per mile?
ThePricer lists $2.50 to $4 per mile after a $3 to $5 starting charge. Los Angeles is about $2.97 per mile by its count.
How much is a short taxi ride?
ThePricer lists $8 to $15 for 1 to 3 miles. Daily Passport lists a 1 mile ride at $6.79 in Chicago and $11.22 in Miami.
How much is a taxi from the airport?
ThePricer lists $50 to $120 or more. In New York, the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission lists a $70 flat fare from JFK to Manhattan.
Is a tip required?
A tip is not part of the fare, but it is common. ThePricer says 15% to 20% is typical.
Why do fares differ by city?
Each city sets its own rates. Daily Passport lists a 10 mile ride at $33.86 in Chicago and $54.80 in New York.