How Many Miles Can You Drive on One Gallon of Gas?

Gas mileage describes how many miles you can drive on a single gallon of gasoline. It’s a measure of efficiency expressed as miles-per-gallon, or MPG. A car with a higher MPG rating can go further on a single tank of gas than one with a lower MPG rating. 

Automotive manufacturers often use MPG ratings as a selling point for new vehicles. Consumers look for more efficient cars with a higher MPG rating because that translates to less spent at the pump and fewer trips to the gas station altogether. More efficient vehicles also tend to resist depreciation. 

When you come across MPG ratings for a car, you typically see two ratings paired together: city and highway driving. Automotive manufacturers measure city and highway miles-per-gallon differently based on average driving behavior. Stoplights and traffic often dictate speeds and spatial movement within city limits, limiting efficiency. In contrast, highway speeds can improve efficiency, albeit with some caveats. 

When you see MPG ratings for vehicles, efficiency within the city tends to be lower than on the highway. A combined MPG rating is the average of the city and highway MPG ratings. However, four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles can further decrease how efficient cars are on the highway because the engine must turn all four wheels instead of only two. To complicate things even further, the weight of a vehicle, including passengers and payload, can also affect gas mileage. 

A gallon of gas can propel most modern cars 20 to 35 miles from their current position. These MPG ratings stem from tests run by the manufacturer based on mandates given to them by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While experts measure gas-powered vehicles’ efficiency in gallons of fuel used across a single mile, they measure the range of hybrid and electric cars in miles-per-gallon equivalent, or MPGe, for ease of comparison. 

Compared to calculating lease miles per year, figuring out your gas mileage requires plugging in a few numbers. Here’s the basic formula for calculating gas mileage: 

Gas mileage ratings (MPG) = Number of miles driven / Gallons of gas used

Suppose you drove 200 miles and used 10 gallons of gas. Plugging those numbers into the equation above would result in a 20 miles per gallon gas mileage rating. If you were to drive 300 miles on 15 gallons of gas, you would have a 15 MPG rating. 

You can also manipulate this equation to determine how much a road trip costs. FuelEconomy.gov reports that a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed transmission achieves 22 miles per gallon combined, or 19 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. Use the following equation to calculate your fuel costs:

(Miles driven / MPG) x Fuel price 

If you drove 250 miles across America’s highways, you’d plug in the 26 MPG highway rating right after that. AAA’s average gas prices chart estimates a $3.60 per gallon price for regular fuel:

(250 miles / 26) x $3.60 = $34.62

If you want to check your estimates for fuel efficiency, simply reset your trip gauge the next time you fill your car with gas. When you refuel again later, note how much fuel remains and how many miles you’ve driven. The same formula above will help you verify your gas mileage when you plug in those numbers. 

Calculating hybrid and electric charging costs 

The pros and cons of hybrid cars number many, but one of the most significant selling points is paying for electricity rather than gas. Calculating the cost of charging your electric vehicle looks similar to doing the math for gasoline costs, just with different rates: 

Cost per 100 miles = Kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles rating x Electric rate

The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 has an 82 kilowatt-hour rating. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost per kilowatt hour in September of 2023 was $0.171. Plug those numbers into the equation to find the cost per 100 miles, which is $14.022, or about 14 cents per mile.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, motorcycles rank as one of the most fuel-efficient road-worthy vehicles. Cars and trucks match about half the fuel efficiency of a motorcycle. The worst fuel-efficient vehicles are school buses, Class 8 trucks, transit buses, and refuse trucks. 

Like figuring out how to get a high-mileage lease, determining the factors that affect your gas mileage can take some research. Below are the main factors that affect your car’s gas mileage: 

• Type of vehicle, such as a pickup truck, sedan, or SUV
• Fuel quality and type 
• Driver habits
• Gas tank capacity
• Vehicle age and mechanical condition
• Transmission configuration (two-wheel drive vs. four-wheel or all-wheel drive)
• Driving and road conditions
• Average engine revolutions per minute (RPM) or speed
• Engine size
• Climate/Weather 
• Fuel source (gasoline, hybrid, electric) 
• Payload and towed weight (if applicable)
• Aerodynamics

You can control certain gas mileage factors, such as driving habits, vehicle condition, and fuel type. However, the manufacturer often limits gas mileage via fuel tank capacity, engine size, and transmission configuration. Figuring out how to improve your gas mileage requires understanding what elements are within your control and which ones you must work around. 

Comparing leasing vs. buying vs. subscription can help you better manage your funds and maximize your spending. Optimizing your car’s fuel efficiency can do the same. Below are several helpful tips designed to cost you less at the pump: 

• Use cruise control whenever possible while still remaining alert. Cruise control allows your engine to work efficiently by staying at a constant speed. 
• Avoid rapid acceleration. Putting the pedal to the metal can increase the workload on the engine, forcing it to be less efficient as you speed up. Excess speeds can also decrease fuel efficiency. 
• Maintain your vehicle’s alignment. Wheels and almost inflated tires that wander along the road hardly ever take an efficient path. In addition, poor alignment can cause premature wear and tear on key suspension components. 
• Avoid transporting goods on your roof. The added surface area can increase drag and cause your vehicle to present a wider target for headwinds. Increased resistance in the direction of travel significantly reduces efficiency. 
• Keep up on regular car maintenance. Clean or replace your air filters to improve airflow. Replacing spark plugs at regular intervals can help your engine stay efficient. Inflate your tires to the proper pressure for a smoother, more efficient ride.
• Drive less and avoid rush hour. Less time on the road translates to greater fuel efficiency.

While there are several hacks to squeezing more out of a gallon of gas, sometimes it pays to focus on those that serve you best with the least amount of effort. If you’re looking for a way to save money and simplify your car bills, check out FINN car subscriptions. Your single monthly payment includes insurance, registration, depreciation, and maintenance, so all you have to do is pick up the fuel bill.