Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate trip cost, annual fuel spend, and compare two cars' real running costs
Fuel is one of the biggest ongoing costs of car ownership — often $2,000–$4,000 per year depending on your car and driving habits. Our fuel cost calculator breaks it down by trip, month, or year, so you know exactly what you're spending.
The Compare Cars tab is especially useful when evaluating a new purchase: enter two vehicles' MPG ratings and it calculates exactly how many years it takes to break even on any price premium. Essential for choosing between a hybrid and a conventional vehicle.
How to Use the Fuel Cost Calculator
- 1 Choose a tab: Trip Cost for a single journey, Annual Cost for yearly spend, or Compare Cars to evaluate two vehicles.
- 2 Enter the distance, fuel efficiency (MPG or L/100km), and current gas price for your area.
- 3 For Compare mode, enter both cars' efficiency ratings and the price premium of the more efficient option.
- 4 Results show cost breakdown. In Compare mode, you get the exact breakeven year and mileage.
The national average MPG for new cars sold in the US is around 28 MPG. Every 5 MPG improvement saves roughly $400–$600 per year at $3.50/gallon for an average driver doing 12,000 miles/year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my car's real-world MPG?
Fill your tank completely. Drive normally until you need to refuel. At the next fill-up, divide the miles driven (from your trip odometer) by the gallons added. Most drivers get 10–20% less than the EPA sticker estimate in real-world conditions.
How much does gas price affect annual cost?
For a 30 MPG car driven 12,000 miles/year: at $3.00/gal you spend $1,200/year; at $4.00/gal you spend $1,600/year; at $5.00/gal you spend $2,000/year. Every $0.50/gallon swing means about $200/year for an average driver.
Is a hybrid worth the extra cost?
It depends on how much you drive and the price premium. A hybrid at 50 MPG vs. a comparable 30 MPG car saves about $800/year at $3.50/gal for 15,000 miles. If the hybrid costs $3,000 more, breakeven is roughly 3.75 years. Our Compare tab calculates this exactly.
Does tire pressure affect fuel economy?
Yes — under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance. MPG drops about 0.2% for every 1 PSI below the recommended pressure. Keeping tires properly inflated (check the door jamb sticker, not the tire sidewall) can improve fuel economy by up to 3%.