Gas Cost Calculator
Calculate your trip’s fuel cost based on distance, MPG, and current gas prices. Plan your road trip budget.
Gas Cost Insights
⛽ How It’s Calculated
Gallons needed = Distance ÷ MPG. Then multiply gallons by gas price. For example, a 300-mile trip at 30 MPG needs 10 gallons. At $3.50/gallon, that’s $35.
Your car’s MPG is on the window sticker or check fueleconomy.gov for your vehicle’s EPA ratings.
📊 Average US MPG by Vehicle
- Compact cars: 30-40 MPG
- Mid-size sedans: 25-35 MPG
- SUVs: 20-28 MPG
- Pickup trucks: 15-22 MPG
- Hybrids: 45-55 MPG
- EVs: ~100 MPGe equivalent
💡 Save on Gas
Use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas nearby. Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam’s) often have prices $0.20-0.40 lower per gallon.
Driving 55-65 MPH instead of 75+ can improve fuel economy by 10-15%. Proper tire inflation also helps — check monthly.
🚗 US Average Commute
The average American commute is about 16 miles one-way (32 miles round trip). At national average gas prices of $3.00-4.50/gallon (depending on state), that’s roughly $4-6 per day for a typical 28 MPG vehicle.
An equivalent EV driving 32 miles daily at 3.5 mi/kWh and $0.14/kWh would cost about $1.28/day — saving over $1,000 per year in fuel costs alone.
⚠️ Keep in Mind
Real-world MPG varies based on driving conditions. Highway driving is more efficient than city stop-and-go. AC use, cargo weight, and speed all affect fuel economy.
Gas prices vary significantly by state — California and Hawaii are highest, while Southern states tend to be lowest.