Fuel Cost Calculator
Turn your annual mileage, MPG and local gas price into a real monthly and yearly fuel bill — plus cost per mile.
Your numbers
Annual fuel cost
$1,615
462 gal/yr
Monthly fuel cost
$135
Cost per mile
$0.13
Insight — Fuel is one of the few car costs you can cut overnight. Raising real-world MPG by even 3–4 mpg — smoother driving, correct tire pressure, less idling — measurably lowers the annual number above.
What if Gas price changes?
| Gas price | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| $2.50/gal | $1,154 |
| $3.00/gal | $1,385 |
| $3.50/gal · now | $1,615 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,846 |
| $4.50/gal | $2,077 |
| $5.00/gal | $2,308 |
Run the real EV numbers
Charging, payback and running cost depend on your mileage and local prices — benchmark them before you commit.
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For context: at 26 MPG and $3.50/gal, a 12,000-mile-a-year driver works out to roughly $1,615 of fuel a year — about $135 a month. Swap in your own mileage, MPG and local price above.
Good to know
Clear, practical answers about the fuel cost calculator.
How is annual fuel cost calculated?＋
Annual miles are divided by your MPG to get gallons used per year, then multiplied by the price per gallon. Monthly cost is that figure divided by 12, and cost per mile is the annual cost divided by miles driven.
Why is my real-world MPG lower than the sticker?＋
EPA and manufacturer figures are lab estimates. Cold weather, short trips, highway speeds, roof racks, towing and aggressive acceleration all push real MPG below the rated number — often by 10–20%.
Does a more fuel-efficient car always save money?＋
It lowers fuel cost, but you have to weigh that against the purchase price difference. Use the annual savings here against the price premium to see the real payback period before switching cars.
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