Fuel Cost Calculator
Enter a vehicle’s combined MPG, how far you drive and what you pay per gallon to see yearly, monthly and per-mile fuel cost. Add a second vehicle to compare two candidates.
| Vehicle A (28 mpg) | Vehicle B (22 mpg) | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallons per year | 429 | 545 | 117 |
| Fuel cost per year | $1,851 | $2,356 | $505 |
| Per month | $154 | $196 | $42 |
| Per mile | $0.15 | $0.20 | $0.04 |
| Over 5 years | $9,257 | $11,782 | $2,525 |
Formula: miles ÷ MPG × price per gallon. Default fuel prices are the current U.S. national averages published by fueleconomy.gov; adjust for your area.
Using EPA ratings
Every model-year page on YearToAvoid shows EPA city, highway and combined MPG next to its complaint and recall data, so you can weigh running cost against reported problems. Start from the make index or a head-to-head comparison.
Frequently asked questions
- How is annual fuel cost calculated?
- Annual miles divided by combined MPG gives gallons used per year; multiply by the price per gallon. For example, 12,000 miles at 30 MPG uses 400 gallons — at $3.50 per gallon that is $1,400 a year.
- Which MPG should I use?
- Use the EPA combined rating shown on every model-year page of this site, or your own observed average. City-heavy driving is closer to the city rating, highway commuting closer to the highway rating.
- How much does 5 MPG more save?
- It depends on the starting point. Going from 20 to 25 MPG saves more gallons than going from 35 to 40, because fuel use falls with 1/MPG. Enter both vehicles above to see the exact difference at your mileage and fuel price.
- Where do the default fuel prices come from?
- From the U.S. Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov fuel price feed (national averages), refreshed with each data update. Local prices vary, so adjust the price field.