Gas cost calculator
Trip fuel cost from distance, MPG and gas price, plus a daily commute budget with an EV cost comparison.
Trip fuel cost
Estimated fuel cost
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- Trip distance
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- Fuel efficiency
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- Gallons needed
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- Cost per mile
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Round trip
Uses the MPG and gas price entered above.
- Round trip distance
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- Round trip cost
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Commute cost
Monthly commute cost
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- Daily cost (round trip)
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- Weekly cost
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- Yearly cost
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- Gallons per month
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- CO2 per year
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Gas versus EV comparison
Assumes an electric vehicle at 3.5 miles per kWh and $0.14 per kWh, driving the same commute distance.
| Cost | Gas vehicle | Electric vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | - | - |
| Yearly | - | - |
Estimated EV savings
Enter your commute details to see the yearly savings.
How it works
Gallons needed equal distance divided by MPG. Multiply gallons by the gas price to get the total fuel cost. A 300-mile trip at 30 MPG needs 10 gallons, which costs $35 at $3.50 a gallon.
- Enter the distance
One-way trip miles, or your daily commute distance.
- Enter MPG and gas price
Your car's MPG is on the window sticker or at fueleconomy.gov.
- Read the cost
Switch tabs for a one-time trip or a recurring commute budget.
Typical US fuel efficiency
- Compact cars: 30 to 40 MPG
- Mid-size sedans: 25 to 35 MPG
- SUVs: 20 to 28 MPG
- Pickup trucks: 15 to 22 MPG
- Hybrids: 45 to 55 MPG
Ways to spend less on gas
Driving 55 to 65 MPH instead of 75 or more can improve fuel economy by 10 to 15%. Keeping tires properly inflated and removing excess cargo weight both help too. Gas price comparison apps can also find the cheapest station nearby, and warehouse clubs often price $0.20 to $0.40 lower per gallon than the corner station.
These are estimates
Real-world MPG varies with driving conditions: highway driving is more efficient than city stop-and-go, and air conditioning, cargo weight and speed all reduce it. The gas price presets are typical regional averages, not live prices; check a fuel price app for the current price near you. The IRS standard mileage rate, which also covers wear and maintenance, is a higher but more complete figure for reimbursing a trip.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the gas cost for a road trip?
Enter the total distance in miles, your vehicle's MPG, and the current gas price per gallon. The calculator divides the distance by MPG to find gallons needed, then multiplies by the price per gallon. A 300-mile trip at 30 MPG with gas at $3.50 costs $35 in fuel.
What is the average MPG for a car in the US?
Compact cars average 30 to 40 MPG, mid-size sedans 25 to 35 MPG, SUVs 20 to 28 MPG, and pickup trucks 15 to 22 MPG. Hybrids average 45 to 55 MPG. Check the sticker in your driver-side door jamb or search fueleconomy.gov for your vehicle's EPA combined MPG rating.
How much does gas cost per mile?
Cost per mile equals the gas price divided by your MPG. At $3.50 a gallon and 30 MPG, you spend about $0.12 per mile. At 25 MPG the cost rises to about $0.14 per mile. The calculator shows this figure so you can compare vehicles or routes at a glance.
How do I estimate my monthly commute fuel cost?
Switch to the Daily commute tab and enter your one-way distance, MPG, gas price and workdays per week. The calculator multiplies the round-trip daily distance by your working days, divides by MPG, and multiplies by the gas price to give a daily, weekly and yearly cost.
How much would I save switching to an electric vehicle?
The Daily commute tab compares your gas cost against an EV driving the same distance at 3.5 miles per kWh and $0.14 per kWh, a common home charging rate. For a typical 15-mile commute at $3.20 a gallon and 28 MPG, an EV saves roughly $500 to $700 a year in fuel alone, before counting lower maintenance costs.