Calculate gas mileage (MPG), fuel costs, and trip expenses for your vehicle
Gas mileage, measured in miles per gallon (MPG), indicates how efficiently your vehicle uses fuel. Higher MPG means better fuel economy and lower operating costs. Tracking your gas mileage helps you monitor vehicle performance, plan trip budgets, and identify potential maintenance issues.
Your actual MPG can vary significantly based on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, driving habits, and weather. City driving typically yields lower MPG than highway driving due to frequent stops and starts.
MPG = Miles Driven ÷ Gallons Used
Fill up your tank completely, reset your trip odometer, drive normally, and refill when the tank is low. Divide the miles driven by the gallons needed to refill for your MPG.
Cost Per Mile = (Fuel Price × Gallons Used) ÷ Miles Driven
This metric helps you understand the actual cost of operating your vehicle and compare it with other transportation options or different vehicles.
Trip Cost = (Trip Distance ÷ MPG) × Fuel Price Per Gallon
Planning a road trip? Calculate your expected fuel costs by dividing your trip distance by your vehicle's MPG, then multiplying by the current fuel price.
| Vehicle Type | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car | 28-32 | 35-40 | 30-35 |
| Midsize Sedan | 24-28 | 32-36 | 27-31 |
| SUV (Small) | 22-26 | 28-32 | 24-28 |
| SUV (Large) | 16-20 | 22-26 | 18-22 |
| Pickup Truck | 15-19 | 20-24 | 17-21 |
| Hybrid | 45-55 | 40-50 | 42-52 |
| Electric (MPGe) | 100-130 | 90-120 | 95-125 |
Scenario: 40-mile daily commute, 20 MPG vehicle, $3.50/gallon
Daily cost: (40 miles ÷ 20 MPG) × $3.50 = $7.00
Monthly cost: $7.00 × 22 workdays = $154
Improving to 25 MPG saves: $30.80 per month or $370 per year
Scenario: 1,000-mile trip, 28 MPG vehicle, $3.75/gallon
Gallons needed: 1,000 ÷ 28 = 35.7 gallons
Total fuel cost: 35.7 × $3.75 = $134
Round trip cost: $268
Scenario: 12,000 miles/year, 22 MPG vehicle, $3.60/gallon
Annual gallons: 12,000 ÷ 22 = 545 gallons
Annual fuel cost: 545 × $3.60 = $1,962
Upgrading to 30 MPG saves: $654 per year