Trip Cost & MPG
Last reviewed: May 2026
Calculate the exact fuel cost of any trip or commute. Distance ÷ MPG × gas price = trip cost. This also calculates cost per mile, total gallons, and lets you compare routes or vehicles side by side. For commuters, knowing the daily fuel cost helps with budgeting and evaluating alternatives like carpooling, public transit, or EVs.1
| Vehicle | Avg MPG | Cost/Mile ($3.50/gal) | 100-Mile Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car | 35 | $0.10 | $10.00 |
| Sedan | 28 | $0.13 | $12.50 |
| SUV | 22 | $0.16 | $15.91 |
| Pickup truck | 18 | $0.19 | $19.44 |
| Hybrid | 50 | $0.07 | $7.00 |
| EV (equiv) | 100+ MPGe | $0.04 | $4.00 |
The fuel cost formula is straightforward: (distance ÷ fuel efficiency) × price per gallon. A 300-mile trip in a car averaging 28 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon: 300 ÷ 28 = 10.71 gallons × $3.50 = $37.50. For round trips, double the distance. For commuters, the daily calculation reveals annual costs: a 25-mile one-way commute (50 miles round trip) at 25 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $7.00/day, $35/week, and approximately $1,820/year (260 work days). Adding wear-and-tear costs (the IRS estimates $0.67/mile for 2024) brings the true cost of that commute to $33.50/day or $8,710/year — a figure that changes how many people evaluate remote work opportunities and housing location decisions.
The US measures fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), where higher is better. Most of the world uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), where lower is better. Converting: L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG, and MPG = 235.215 ÷ L/100km. A 30 MPG car uses 7.84 L/100km. A European car rated at 5.0 L/100km gets 47 MPG. The L/100km system has a mathematical advantage for cost calculation: fuel cost = (L/100km × distance in km ÷ 100) × price per liter. It also avoids the "MPG illusion" — the misperception that improving from 10 to 15 MPG saves the same fuel as improving from 30 to 35 MPG. Over 10,000 miles: going from 10→15 MPG saves 333 gallons, while 30→35 MPG saves only 48 gallons. L/100km makes this linear and intuitive: each unit of improvement saves a proportionally equal amount of fuel.
EPA fuel economy ratings are measured under controlled laboratory conditions that rarely match real driving. Aggressive acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by 15-30% compared to smooth driving. Highway speed matters more than most drivers realize: aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so driving 75 MPH instead of 65 MPH increases drag by 33% and reduces fuel economy by approximately 10-15%. Tire pressure affects rolling resistance: every 1 PSI below recommended pressure reduces fuel economy by about 0.2%. A/C use in city driving reduces MPG by 10-15%, while open windows at highway speeds also decrease efficiency due to increased drag. Cold weather reduces fuel economy by 15-25% through denser air, increased friction, longer warm-up periods, and winter-blend gasoline. Roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike carriers can reduce highway fuel economy by 6-25% depending on their size and aerodynamic profile.
Comparing electric vehicle energy costs to gasoline requires converting to a common unit. EVs measure efficiency in kWh per 100 miles (or miles per kWh). A typical EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles. At the national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, that's $4.80/100 miles. A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $11.67/100 miles — 2.4× more expensive per mile for fuel. Over 12,000 miles/year: $576 electricity versus $1,400 gasoline, saving $824 annually. Home charging at off-peak rates ($0.08-0.10/kWh) cuts EV fuel costs nearly in half. However, DC fast charging at public stations costs $0.30-0.50/kWh, making per-mile costs comparable to gasoline. The total ownership comparison must also include purchase price premium, lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, brake pads last 2-3× longer), and potential home charging equipment installation ($500-2,500). For most drivers covering 12,000+ miles annually, EVs reach cost parity with comparable gas vehicles within 3-5 years.
Long road trips require fuel budgeting that accounts for varying conditions. Highway fuel economy is typically 10-20% better than the EPA combined rating but can be 10-15% worse than the EPA highway rating if driving above 70 MPH or through mountains. For a 1,500-mile cross-country trip in a 28 MPG vehicle: plan for 25 MPG (accounting for mountain passes, headwinds, and loaded cargo) = 60 gallons needed. At an average of $3.60/gallon, budget $216 for fuel. Route selection matters: interstate highways optimize for speed but mountain passes consume extra fuel, while flatter alternatives may add 50 miles but save a gallon or two. Gas price apps (GasBuddy, Google Maps fuel pricing) can save $0.20-0.50/gallon by identifying the cheapest stations along your route — on a 60-gallon trip, that's $12-30 in savings for a quick app check before each fill-up.
The fuel cost formula is straightforward: (distance ÷ fuel efficiency) × price per gallon. A 300-mile trip in a car averaging 28 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon: 300 ÷ 28 = 10.71 gallons × $3.50 = $37.50. For round trips, double the distance. For commuters, the daily calculation reveals annual costs: a 25-mile one-way commute (50 miles round trip) at 25 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $7.00/day, $35/week, and approximately $1,820/year (260 work days). Adding wear-and-tear costs (the IRS estimates $0.67/mile for 2024) brings the true cost of that commute to $33.50/day or $8,710/year — a figure that changes how many people evaluate remote work opportunities and housing location decisions.
The US measures fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), where higher is better. Most of the world uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), where lower is better. Converting: L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG, and MPG = 235.215 ÷ L/100km. A 30 MPG car uses 7.84 L/100km. A European car rated at 5.0 L/100km gets 47 MPG. The L/100km system has a mathematical advantage for cost calculation: fuel cost = (L/100km × distance in km ÷ 100) × price per liter. It also avoids the "MPG illusion" — the misperception that improving from 10 to 15 MPG saves the same fuel as improving from 30 to 35 MPG. Over 10,000 miles: going from 10→15 MPG saves 333 gallons, while 30→35 MPG saves only 48 gallons. L/100km makes this linear and intuitive: each unit of improvement saves a proportionally equal amount of fuel.
EPA fuel economy ratings are measured under controlled laboratory conditions that rarely match real driving. Aggressive acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by 15-30% compared to smooth driving. Highway speed matters more than most drivers realize: aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so driving 75 MPH instead of 65 MPH increases drag by 33% and reduces fuel economy by approximately 10-15%. Tire pressure affects rolling resistance: every 1 PSI below recommended pressure reduces fuel economy by about 0.2%. A/C use in city driving reduces MPG by 10-15%, while open windows at highway speeds also decrease efficiency due to increased drag. Cold weather reduces fuel economy by 15-25% through denser air, increased friction, longer warm-up periods, and winter-blend gasoline. Roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike carriers can reduce highway fuel economy by 6-25% depending on their size and aerodynamic profile.
Comparing electric vehicle energy costs to gasoline requires converting to a common unit. EVs measure efficiency in kWh per 100 miles (or miles per kWh). A typical EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles. At the national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, that's $4.80/100 miles. A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $11.67/100 miles — 2.4× more expensive per mile for fuel. Over 12,000 miles/year: $576 electricity versus $1,400 gasoline, saving $824 annually. Home charging at off-peak rates ($0.08-0.10/kWh) cuts EV fuel costs nearly in half. However, DC fast charging at public stations costs $0.30-0.50/kWh, making per-mile costs comparable to gasoline. The total ownership comparison must also include purchase price premium, lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, brake pads last 2-3× longer), and potential home charging equipment installation ($500-2,500). For most drivers covering 12,000+ miles annually, EVs reach cost parity with comparable gas vehicles within 3-5 years.
Long road trips require fuel budgeting that accounts for varying conditions. Highway fuel economy is typically 10-20% better than the EPA combined rating but can be 10-15% worse than the EPA highway rating if driving above 70 MPH or through mountains. For a 1,500-mile cross-country trip in a 28 MPG vehicle: plan for 25 MPG (accounting for mountain passes, headwinds, and loaded cargo) = 60 gallons needed. At an average of $3.60/gallon, budget $216 for fuel. Route selection matters: interstate highways optimize for speed but mountain passes consume extra fuel, while flatter alternatives may add 50 miles but save a gallon or two. Gas price apps (GasBuddy, Google Maps fuel pricing) can save $0.20-0.50/gallon by identifying the cheapest stations along your route — on a 60-gallon trip, that's $12-30 in savings for a quick app check before each fill-up.
The fuel cost formula is straightforward: (distance ÷ fuel efficiency) × price per gallon. A 300-mile trip in a car averaging 28 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon: 300 ÷ 28 = 10.71 gallons × $3.50 = $37.50. For round trips, double the distance. For commuters, the daily calculation reveals annual costs: a 25-mile one-way commute (50 miles round trip) at 25 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $7.00/day, $35/week, and approximately $1,820/year (260 work days). Adding wear-and-tear costs (the IRS estimates $0.67/mile for 2024) brings the true cost of that commute to $33.50/day or $8,710/year — a figure that changes how many people evaluate remote work opportunities and housing location decisions.
The US measures fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), where higher is better. Most of the world uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), where lower is better. Converting: L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG, and MPG = 235.215 ÷ L/100km. A 30 MPG car uses 7.84 L/100km. A European car rated at 5.0 L/100km gets 47 MPG. The L/100km system has a mathematical advantage for cost calculation: fuel cost = (L/100km × distance in km ÷ 100) × price per liter. It also avoids the "MPG illusion" — the misperception that improving from 10 to 15 MPG saves the same fuel as improving from 30 to 35 MPG. Over 10,000 miles: going from 10→15 MPG saves 333 gallons, while 30→35 MPG saves only 48 gallons. L/100km makes this linear and intuitive: each unit of improvement saves a proportionally equal amount of fuel.
EPA fuel economy ratings are measured under controlled laboratory conditions that rarely match real driving. Aggressive acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by 15-30% compared to smooth driving. Highway speed matters more than most drivers realize: aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so driving 75 MPH instead of 65 MPH increases drag by 33% and reduces fuel economy by approximately 10-15%. Tire pressure affects rolling resistance: every 1 PSI below recommended pressure reduces fuel economy by about 0.2%. A/C use in city driving reduces MPG by 10-15%, while open windows at highway speeds also decrease efficiency due to increased drag. Cold weather reduces fuel economy by 15-25% through denser air, increased friction, longer warm-up periods, and winter-blend gasoline. Roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike carriers can reduce highway fuel economy by 6-25% depending on their size and aerodynamic profile.
Comparing electric vehicle energy costs to gasoline requires converting to a common unit. EVs measure efficiency in kWh per 100 miles (or miles per kWh). A typical EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles. At the national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, that's $4.80/100 miles. A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $11.67/100 miles — 2.4× more expensive per mile for fuel. Over 12,000 miles/year: $576 electricity versus $1,400 gasoline, saving $824 annually. Home charging at off-peak rates ($0.08-0.10/kWh) cuts EV fuel costs nearly in half. However, DC fast charging at public stations costs $0.30-0.50/kWh, making per-mile costs comparable to gasoline. The total ownership comparison must also include purchase price premium, lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, brake pads last 2-3× longer), and potential home charging equipment installation ($500-2,500). For most drivers covering 12,000+ miles annually, EVs reach cost parity with comparable gas vehicles within 3-5 years.
Long road trips require fuel budgeting that accounts for varying conditions. Highway fuel economy is typically 10-20% better than the EPA combined rating but can be 10-15% worse than the EPA highway rating if driving above 70 MPH or through mountains. For a 1,500-mile cross-country trip in a 28 MPG vehicle: plan for 25 MPG (accounting for mountain passes, headwinds, and loaded cargo) = 60 gallons needed. At an average of $3.60/gallon, budget $216 for fuel. Route selection matters: interstate highways optimize for speed but mountain passes consume extra fuel, while flatter alternatives may add 50 miles but save a gallon or two. Gas price apps (GasBuddy, Google Maps fuel pricing) can save $0.20-0.50/gallon by identifying the cheapest stations along your route — on a 60-gallon trip, that's $12-30 in savings for a quick app check before each fill-up.
The fuel cost formula is straightforward: (distance ÷ fuel efficiency) × price per gallon. A 300-mile trip in a car averaging 28 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon: 300 ÷ 28 = 10.71 gallons × $3.50 = $37.50. For round trips, double the distance. For commuters, the daily calculation reveals annual costs: a 25-mile one-way commute (50 miles round trip) at 25 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $7.00/day, $35/week, and approximately $1,820/year (260 work days). Adding wear-and-tear costs (the IRS estimates $0.67/mile for 2024) brings the true cost of that commute to $33.50/day or $8,710/year — a figure that changes how many people evaluate remote work opportunities and housing location decisions.
The US measures fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), where higher is better. Most of the world uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), where lower is better. Converting: L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG, and MPG = 235.215 ÷ L/100km. A 30 MPG car uses 7.84 L/100km. A European car rated at 5.0 L/100km gets 47 MPG. The L/100km system has a mathematical advantage for cost calculation: fuel cost = (L/100km × distance in km ÷ 100) × price per liter. It also avoids the "MPG illusion" — the misperception that improving from 10 to 15 MPG saves the same fuel as improving from 30 to 35 MPG. Over 10,000 miles: going from 10→15 MPG saves 333 gallons, while 30→35 MPG saves only 48 gallons. L/100km makes this linear and intuitive: each unit of improvement saves a proportionally equal amount of fuel.
EPA fuel economy ratings are measured under controlled laboratory conditions that rarely match real driving. Aggressive acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by 15-30% compared to smooth driving. Highway speed matters more than most drivers realize: aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so driving 75 MPH instead of 65 MPH increases drag by 33% and reduces fuel economy by approximately 10-15%. Tire pressure affects rolling resistance: every 1 PSI below recommended pressure reduces fuel economy by about 0.2%. A/C use in city driving reduces MPG by 10-15%, while open windows at highway speeds also decrease efficiency due to increased drag. Cold weather reduces fuel economy by 15-25% through denser air, increased friction, longer warm-up periods, and winter-blend gasoline. Roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike carriers can reduce highway fuel economy by 6-25% depending on their size and aerodynamic profile.
Comparing electric vehicle energy costs to gasoline requires converting to a common unit. EVs measure efficiency in kWh per 100 miles (or miles per kWh). A typical EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles. At the national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, that's $4.80/100 miles. A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $11.67/100 miles — 2.4× more expensive per mile for fuel. Over 12,000 miles/year: $576 electricity versus $1,400 gasoline, saving $824 annually. Home charging at off-peak rates ($0.08-0.10/kWh) cuts EV fuel costs nearly in half. However, DC fast charging at public stations costs $0.30-0.50/kWh, making per-mile costs comparable to gasoline. The total ownership comparison must also include purchase price premium, lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, brake pads last 2-3× longer), and potential home charging equipment installation ($500-2,500). For most drivers covering 12,000+ miles annually, EVs reach cost parity with comparable gas vehicles within 3-5 years.
Long road trips require fuel budgeting that accounts for varying conditions. Highway fuel economy is typically 10-20% better than the EPA combined rating but can be 10-15% worse than the EPA highway rating if driving above 70 MPH or through mountains. For a 1,500-mile cross-country trip in a 28 MPG vehicle: plan for 25 MPG (accounting for mountain passes, headwinds, and loaded cargo) = 60 gallons needed. At an average of $3.60/gallon, budget $216 for fuel. Route selection matters: interstate highways optimize for speed but mountain passes consume extra fuel, while flatter alternatives may add 50 miles but save a gallon or two. Gas price apps (GasBuddy, Google Maps fuel pricing) can save $0.20-0.50/gallon by identifying the cheapest stations along your route — on a 60-gallon trip, that's $12-30 in savings for a quick app check before each fill-up.
The fuel cost formula is straightforward: (distance ÷ fuel efficiency) × price per gallon. A 300-mile trip in a car averaging 28 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon: 300 ÷ 28 = 10.71 gallons × $3.50 = $37.50. For round trips, double the distance. For commuters, the daily calculation reveals annual costs: a 25-mile one-way commute (50 miles round trip) at 25 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $7.00/day, $35/week, and approximately $1,820/year (260 work days). Adding wear-and-tear costs (the IRS estimates $0.67/mile for 2024) brings the true cost of that commute to $33.50/day or $8,710/year — a figure that changes how many people evaluate remote work opportunities and housing location decisions.
The US measures fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), where higher is better. Most of the world uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), where lower is better. Converting: L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG, and MPG = 235.215 ÷ L/100km. A 30 MPG car uses 7.84 L/100km. A European car rated at 5.0 L/100km gets 47 MPG. The L/100km system has a mathematical advantage for cost calculation: fuel cost = (L/100km × distance in km ÷ 100) × price per liter. It also avoids the "MPG illusion" — the misperception that improving from 10 to 15 MPG saves the same fuel as improving from 30 to 35 MPG. Over 10,000 miles: going from 10→15 MPG saves 333 gallons, while 30→35 MPG saves only 48 gallons. L/100km makes this linear and intuitive: each unit of improvement saves a proportionally equal amount of fuel.
EPA fuel economy ratings are measured under controlled laboratory conditions that rarely match real driving. Aggressive acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by 15-30% compared to smooth driving. Highway speed matters more than most drivers realize: aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so driving 75 MPH instead of 65 MPH increases drag by 33% and reduces fuel economy by approximately 10-15%. Tire pressure affects rolling resistance: every 1 PSI below recommended pressure reduces fuel economy by about 0.2%. A/C use in city driving reduces MPG by 10-15%, while open windows at highway speeds also decrease efficiency due to increased drag. Cold weather reduces fuel economy by 15-25% through denser air, increased friction, longer warm-up periods, and winter-blend gasoline. Roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike carriers can reduce highway fuel economy by 6-25% depending on their size and aerodynamic profile.
Comparing electric vehicle energy costs to gasoline requires converting to a common unit. EVs measure efficiency in kWh per 100 miles (or miles per kWh). A typical EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles. At the national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh, that's $4.80/100 miles. A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $11.67/100 miles — 2.4× more expensive per mile for fuel. Over 12,000 miles/year: $576 electricity versus $1,400 gasoline, saving $824 annually. Home charging at off-peak rates ($0.08-0.10/kWh) cuts EV fuel costs nearly in half. However, DC fast charging at public stations costs $0.30-0.50/kWh, making per-mile costs comparable to gasoline. The total ownership comparison must also include purchase price premium, lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, brake pads last 2-3× longer), and potential home charging equipment installation ($500-2,500). For most drivers covering 12,000+ miles annually, EVs reach cost parity with comparable gas vehicles within 3-5 years.
Long road trips require fuel budgeting that accounts for varying conditions. Highway fuel economy is typically 10-20% better than the EPA combined rating but can be 10-15% worse than the EPA highway rating if driving above 70 MPH or through mountains. For a 1,500-mile cross-country trip in a 28 MPG vehicle: plan for 25 MPG (accounting for mountain passes, headwinds, and loaded cargo) = 60 gallons needed. At an average of $3.60/gallon, budget $216 for fuel. Route selection matters: interstate highways optimize for speed but mountain passes consume extra fuel, while flatter alternatives may add 50 miles but save a gallon or two. Gas price apps (GasBuddy, Google Maps fuel pricing) can save $0.20-0.50/gallon by identifying the cheapest stations along your route — on a 60-gallon trip, that's $12-30 in savings for a quick app check before each fill-up.
→ Track real MPG. Reset trip odometer and divide miles by gallons at fill-up.
→ Compare vehicles. Run the same trip with different MPGs to see savings.
→ Consider total cost. Fuel is only 20–30% of total driving cost.
→ Factor commute cost into housing. A cheaper house 30 miles away may cost more after fuel.
See also: Electricity Cost · Budget · Speed · Unit Price