Gas Mileage Calculator (MPG)
Calculate your vehicle's fuel economy, MPG, and gas costs
Fuel Consumption Data
Estimate fuel cost for a planned trip
About Gas Mileage (MPG)
Gas mileage, measured in Miles Per Gallon (MPG), indicates how efficiently your vehicle uses fuel. Higher MPG means better fuel economy and lower operating costs.
How to Calculate MPG
- Fill your gas tank completely
- Record the odometer reading (starting miles)
- Drive normally until you need to refuel
- Fill the tank again and note gallons added
- Record new odometer reading (ending miles)
- Calculate: MPG = (Ending Miles - Starting Miles) ÷ Gallons Used
Average MPG by Vehicle Type
- Hybrid Cars: 40-60 MPG
- Compact Cars: 30-40 MPG
- Midsize Sedans: 25-35 MPG
- SUVs: 20-30 MPG
- Pickup Trucks: 15-25 MPG
- Sports Cars: 15-25 MPG
- Large SUVs/Trucks: 12-20 MPG
Tips to Improve Gas Mileage
- Drive Smoothly: Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking
- Maintain Speed: Use cruise control on highways
- Reduce Weight: Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle
- Check Tire Pressure: Keep tires properly inflated
- Regular Maintenance: Change oil, air filters, and spark plugs
- Avoid Idling: Turn off engine when parked
- Use AC Wisely: AC reduces MPG by 10-25%
- Plan Routes: Combine errands to reduce miles driven
- Close Windows: At highway speeds, open windows reduce MPG
- Use Recommended Gas: Follow manufacturer's fuel grade recommendations
Factors Affecting Gas Mileage
- Driving Habits: Aggressive driving can lower MPG by 33%
- Vehicle Load: Extra 100 lbs can reduce MPG by 1-2%
- Speed: MPG decreases rapidly above 50 mph
- Weather: Cold weather can reduce MPG by 15-30%
- Terrain: Hills and mountains decrease fuel economy
- Traffic: Stop-and-go traffic reduces MPG significantly
- Vehicle Condition: Poor maintenance lowers efficiency
Understanding the Numbers
EPA Ratings: New vehicles display EPA fuel economy estimates:
- City MPG: Stop-and-go urban driving
- Highway MPG: Steady-speed highway driving
- Combined MPG: Weighted average (55% city, 45% highway)
Real-World vs. EPA: Actual MPG often differs from EPA estimates due to driving conditions, habits, and vehicle condition. Track your own MPG over several tanks for accuracy.
Money Saving Tip: Improving fuel economy by just 1 MPG can save hundreds of dollars per year. If you drive 15,000 miles annually at 20 MPG with $3.50/gallon gas, improving to 21 MPG saves approximately $125/year.
Tips
- Enter the dimensions in the same unit for consistency.
- Results update automatically as you type.
- Use the unit selector to convert between different measurement systems.