Calculate how much fuel you need and what a trip will cost based on distance, fuel efficiency, and gas price.
Divide trip distance by fuel efficiency (MPG), then multiply by fuel price per gallon. Example: 300 miles ÷ 25 MPG = 12 gallons × $3.50 = $42.00.
For metric: multiply distance (km) by consumption rate (L/100km) and divide by 100, then multiply by price per liter. Example: 500 km × 8 L/100km ÷ 100 = 40 liters × $1.50 = $60.00.
Maintain steady speeds (cruise control on highways), keep tires properly inflated, reduce excess weight, and avoid aggressive acceleration.
Driving at 55-65 mph is the most fuel-efficient speed for most vehicles. Every 5 mph above 50 mph costs approximately $0.20 more per gallon. Proper tire pressure alone can improve MPG by 3%. Removing 100 lbs of excess weight improves fuel economy by about 1%.
Fuel economy varies significantly by vehicle type. Use these averages as a starting point if you don't know your vehicle's exact MPG.
Compact Car (Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla): 30–35 MPG (6.7–7.8 L/100km). Mid-Size Sedan (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord): 28–32 MPG (7.4–8.4 L/100km). SUV (Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V): 25–30 MPG (7.8–9.4 L/100km). Full-Size SUV (Ford Explorer, Chevy Tahoe): 18–23 MPG (10.2–13.1 L/100km). Pickup Truck (F-150, Ram 1500): 17–22 MPG (10.7–13.8 L/100km). Hybrid (Toyota Prius, Honda Insight): 45–55 MPG (4.3–5.2 L/100km). Electric (Tesla, Nissan Leaf): 100–130 MPGe equivalent. Source: US EPA fuel economy estimates, 2024 model year averages.
Trip fuel cost = (Distance ÷ Fuel Efficiency) × Price per Gallon/Liter. This simple formula works for any vehicle and any distance.
Fuel efficiency varies dramatically by vehicle type, from 15 MPG for large trucks to 50+ MPG for hybrids and the equivalent of 100+ MPGe for electric vehicles.
| Vehicle Type | Avg MPG | Annual Fuel Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Car | 32-40 MPG | $1,300-1,600 |
| Midsize Sedan | 28-35 MPG | $1,500-1,900 |
| SUV (midsize) | 22-28 MPG | $1,900-2,400 |
| Pickup Truck | 16-22 MPG | $2,400-3,300 |
| Hybrid | 45-55 MPG | $950-1,150 |
| Electric (EV) | 100+ MPGe | $500-700 |
Driving habits have a bigger impact on fuel economy than most people realize. The EPA estimates that aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, hard braking) can lower MPG by 15-33%.
1. Slow down. Every 5 MPH over 50 MPH costs approximately $0.20-0.30 more per gallon (EPA). Driving 65 instead of 75 can improve efficiency by 10-15%.
2. Maintain steady speed. Use cruise control on highways. Constant acceleration and deceleration wastes fuel. Anticipate traffic flow to minimize braking.
3. Check tire pressure monthly. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance. For every 1 PSI drop in all four tires, fuel economy decreases by ~0.2%. Most tires lose 1-2 PSI per month naturally.
4. Remove excess weight. An extra 100 lbs reduces MPG by about 1% (more for smaller vehicles). Empty your trunk of unnecessary items.
5. Minimize idling. Idling gets 0 MPG. If stopped for more than 30 seconds (except in traffic), turning off the engine saves fuel. Modern engines use less fuel restarting than idling for 10+ seconds.
6. Use the recommended fuel grade. If your car specifies "regular" (87 octane), using premium (93) wastes money — it doesn't improve performance or fuel economy in engines not designed for it.
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Note: Fuel cost estimates are approximations. Actual consumption varies based on driving conditions, traffic, weather, road grade, vehicle condition, and driving style. CO2 estimates use the EPA average of 8.89 kg CO2 per gallon of gasoline.
Fuel is one of the largest ongoing expenses for vehicle owners — the average American spends $2,000-3,000 per year on gasoline. Understanding your vehicle's fuel efficiency and trip costs helps you budget better, choose more economical routes, and make informed decisions about vehicle purchases. This calculator works with both US (MPG, gallons) and metric (L/100km, liters) measurements.
In the US, fuel efficiency is measured in miles per gallon (MPG) — higher is better. In Europe and most of the world, it is measured in liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) — lower is better. A typical compact car gets 30-35 MPG (6.7-7.8 L/100km). SUVs average 20-25 MPG (9.4-11.8 L/100km). Hybrids achieve 45-55 MPG (4.3-5.2 L/100km). Electric vehicles equivalent: 100-130 MPGe.
Maintain proper tire pressure (improves MPG by 3%). Remove excess weight from your car. Use cruise control on highways. Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking. Plan routes to avoid traffic. Combine errands into fewer trips. Use the recommended grade of motor oil. Keep your engine tuned. Avoid excessive idling (turn off engine if stopped for more than 60 seconds). Consider carpooling or public transit for commuting.
Every gallon of gasoline burned produces approximately 8.89 kg (19.6 lbs) of CO₂, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A car driven 12,000 miles per year at 25 MPG produces about 4,267 kg of CO₂ annually. Switching to a 50 MPG hybrid cuts emissions in half. An electric vehicle charged from the average US grid produces roughly 60% less CO₂ than a comparable gasoline car.