Track Your Gas Mileage & Fuel Costs
Your car's MPG tells you how efficiently it uses fuel - but the real cost depends on gas prices and how much you drive. This calculator computes your actual MPG from two fill-ups and estimates monthly and annual fuel costs.
How to Calculate MPG
The Fill-Up Method
- Fill your tank completely and reset your trip odometer.
- Drive normally until your next fill-up.
- Fill up again at the same pump - this is your "gallons used".
- Record the miles driven from your trip odometer.
- Divide miles by gallons to get MPG.
- Repeat 3-5 times for an accurate average.
Worked Example
- Miles driven between fill-ups: 312
- Gallons used: 10.5
- MPG: 312 รท 10.5 = 29.7 MPG
- Gas price: $3.50/gallon
- Cost per mile: $0.118
- Annual cost (15,000 miles): $1,770
Average MPG by Vehicle Type (2026)
| Vehicle Type | City MPG | Highway MPG |
|---|---|---|
| Compact sedan | 30-35 | 38-42 |
| Mid-size sedan | 26-30 | 34-38 |
| SUV (small) | 24-28 | 30-34 |
| SUV (large) | 18-22 | 24-28 |
| Pickup (V6) | 18-22 | 23-27 |
| Pickup (V8) | 15-18 | 20-23 |
| Hybrid | 45-55 | 48-58 |
| Electric (MPGe) | 110-130 | 100-120 |
How to Improve Your MPG
- Keep tires properly inflated - can improve MPG by 3%
- Remove excess weight from the trunk
- Drive the speed limit - every 5 mph over 50 costs ~7% efficiency
- Use cruise control on highways
- Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking
- Replace air filter regularly
- Use the recommended octane (premium does not help if not required)
- Combine trips to reduce cold starts
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my car's MPG?
Divide miles driven by gallons used between fill-ups. Repeat for accuracy.
What is good gas mileage?
For a sedan: 30+ MPG is good. SUV: 25+ is good. Truck: 20+ is good. Hybrid: 45+.
Why is my MPG lower than the window sticker?
EPA estimates assume ideal conditions. Real MPG is usually 10-20% lower due to driving style, weather, and terrain.
Does AC use more gas?
Yes - running AC costs 5-15% MPG. Opening windows at highway speeds reduces MPG more than AC.
Is premium gas worth it?
Only if your owner's manual requires it. Using premium in a regular-fuel car wastes money.
How can I get 40 MPG?
Drive a hybrid or efficient compact, keep tires inflated, drive smoothly, and stay under 65 mph on the highway.