Gas Mileage Calculator
Calculate your vehicle's MPG, fuel cost per trip, cost per mile, and annual fuel spending. Compare against EPA averages and see how driving habits affect your wallet.
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Your Fuel Economy
How You Compare (EPA Averages)
| Vehicle Type | Avg MPG | Annual Cost | vs You |
|---|
Understanding Gas Mileage and Fuel Economy
Gas mileage — measured in miles per gallon (MPG) — tells you how far your vehicle travels on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG means lower fuel costs. The EPA estimates fuel economy for every vehicle sold in the US, testing under controlled laboratory conditions. However, real-world MPG is typically 10-20% lower than EPA ratings due to driving habits, weather, terrain, and vehicle condition.
The formula is simple: MPG = Miles Driven ÷ Gallons Used. To track your MPG, fill your tank completely, reset your trip odometer, drive normally until the next fill-up, and divide the miles driven by gallons added. Do this over 3-4 fill-ups for an accurate average.
What Affects Your MPG
Research from Oak Ridge National Laboratory shows the following factors have the largest impact on real-world fuel economy: aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and braking) reduces MPG by 15-30%, highway speeds above 50 mph decrease efficiency by 7-14% for every 10 mph increase, proper tire inflation improves MPG by up to 3%, and excess weight (100 lbs) reduces MPG by roughly 1%. Air conditioning can reduce MPG by up to 25% in city driving but has minimal impact on highway fuel economy.
Average Fuel Economy by Vehicle Type (EPA 2024)
| Vehicle Type | Avg MPG (Combined) | Annual Fuel Cost* | Annual CO₂ (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 50 MPG | $950 | 3,940 |
| Compact Car | 35 MPG | $1,360 | 5,620 |
| Midsize Sedan | 32 MPG | $1,490 | 6,160 |
| All Passenger Vehicles | 27.5 MPG | $1,730 | 7,150 |
| Small SUV / Crossover | 28 MPG | $1,700 | 7,030 |
| Midsize SUV | 24 MPG | $1,980 | 8,200 |
| Full-Size SUV | 19 MPG | $2,500 | 10,360 |
| Pickup Truck | 20 MPG | $2,380 | 9,840 |
| Minivan | 22 MPG | $2,160 | 8,940 |
| Large Pickup / HD | 15 MPG | $3,170 | 13,120 |
*Based on 14,263 miles/year (FHWA average) at $3.45/gallon. CO₂ calculated at 19.6 lbs/gallon (EPA). Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, Federal Highway Administration.
Gas vs Electric: Annual Fuel/Energy Cost Comparison
| Vehicle | Efficiency | Annual Energy Cost* | 5-Year Fuel Savings vs 25 MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas (15 MPG truck) | 15 MPG | $3,280 | +$7,250 more |
| Gas (25 MPG avg) | 25 MPG | $1,970 | — |
| Gas (35 MPG efficient) | 35 MPG | $1,410 | $2,800 saved |
| Hybrid (50 MPG) | 50 MPG | $985 | $4,925 saved |
| PHEV (75 MPGe) | 75 MPGe | $750 | $6,100 saved |
| BEV (100 MPGe) | 3.3 mi/kWh | $580 | $6,950 saved |
*Gas at $3.45/gal, electricity at $0.134/kWh (EIA national avg). 14,263 miles/year. EV efficiency assumes 30 kWh/100 miles. Actual costs vary by location and driving patterns.
The True Cost of Driving: Beyond Fuel
AAA's 2024 "Your Driving Costs" study calculated that the average cost of owning and operating a new vehicle is $12,182 per year — or $0.724 per mile. Fuel is only about 15% of this total. The full breakdown: fuel ($1,730/year), insurance ($2,014), maintenance ($1,186), tires ($224), license/registration ($783), depreciation ($4,736), and financing ($1,509). For a complete picture of your commute costs including time and opportunity cost, use our Commute Cost Calculator.
The Department of Energy reports that fuel economy has improved 33% since 2004, from 20.8 MPG to 27.5 MPG for all new passenger vehicles. Despite this, total fuel spending has remained relatively flat because Americans drive more miles per year and gas prices have fluctuated. Track your spending patterns over time with our Subscription Cost Projector, and use the Discount Calculator to evaluate fuel reward programs that offer cents-off per gallon.
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