American drivers have never had to pay more for getting from point A to point B than they are now. The average monthly payment on a new car reached a record $777 in the second quarter of 2026, according to Edmunds. The average amount financed climbed to an all-time high of $44,156, and nearly one in four buyers is now stretching their loan to seven years or longer just to make the math work.

But here's the part that doesn't make the headlines: $777 is just the loan payment.

The real monthly cost of owning a car

That record-setting figure doesn't include insurance. It doesn't include maintenance. It doesn't include roadside assistance, oil changes, brakes, or tires.

Add it up:

• Car insurance now averages around $240 per month for full coverage, and premiums have climbed more than 50% over the past five years.

• Maintenance and repairs add roughly another $100+ per month for the typical driver, and more as the car ages.

So the "average" new car payment isn't really $777. Once you factor in insurance and upkeep, many drivers are spending well over $1,000 every month, before they've bought a single gallon of gas. And that's after handing over a down payment averaging nearly $6,000, then committing to five, six, or seven years of payments on a car that loses value the moment it leaves the lot.

There's a better option for getting a car

Flexcar is the first and only month-to-month car lease with no multi-year contract and one monthly payment that includes insurance, maintenance, and 24/7 roadside assistance. 

Here's a real example on how drivers are saving with Flexcar: For a 2026 Buick Encore GX it’s $534/month, all-in.*

That's the Standard mileage plan (850 miles per month, and unused miles roll over) plus the Essential Protection plan, with liability insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance all included. If you need more miles, the Cruiser plan with 1,200 miles per month brings the total to $614. Either way, there's no seven-year commitment or surprise repair bills. Compare that to the average new-car buyer's reality:

That's a difference of thousands of dollars a year, while still getting to drive a modern, well-equipped SUV from a premium brand.

Flexibility is the new affordability

Record-high monthly payments, rising loan balances, and longer financing terms all point to the same reality: the traditional way of getting a car requires you to commit to years of uncertainty. Life rarely works that way, and your car shouldn't have to either.

With Flexcar's month-to-month car lease, you can drive the car that fits your life today. If your needs change, you can swap into a different vehicle or return it when you're ready. Browse hundreds of vehicles across 200+ makes and models at Flexcar.com, see your all-in monthly price upfront, and get on the road without the traditional dealership experience.

*Pricing shown for a 2026 Buick Encore GX and may vary based on driver age, credit, location, and plan selection. Payment data from Edmunds, Q2 2026.