Fuel cost per mile calculator
Gas cost per mile is the price of a gallon divided by your MPG. At the U.S. average of $3.995 a gallon (EIA, week of November 9, 2026), a 30 MPG car spends about 13.3¢ a mile on gas: $13.32 per 100 miles and $133.17 per 1,000 miles.
On this page (8 sections)
How to use the calculator
- Gas price. The price you pay per gallon. The form starts at the latest U.S. average.
- MPG. Your car’s real MPG if you know it, or its EPA rating. The MPG calculator finds your real number from a fill-up.
- Miles per month (optional). Enter how far you drive in a typical month to see your monthly and yearly gas cost.
The result shows cents per mile, the cost of 100 and 1,000 miles, and your monthly and yearly cost.
The formula
- Cost per mile = price per gallon ÷ MPG
- Cost per 100 miles = cost per mile × 100
- Cost per month = cost per mile × miles per month
Example: $3.995 ÷ 30 MPG = $0.1332 a mile, or 13.3¢. If you drive 1,000 miles a month, gas costs about $133.17 a month and $1,598 a year.
You can also start from a fill-up: gas cost per mile = dollars spent on the fill-up ÷ miles driven on that tank. If you paid $41.55 for 10.4 gallons after driving 312 miles, that is $41.55 ÷ 312 = 13.3¢ a mile.
Gas cost per mile by MPG
| MPG | Per mile | Per 100 miles | Per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 20.0¢ | $19.98 | $199.75 |
| 25 | 16.0¢ | $15.98 | $159.80 |
| 30 | 13.3¢ | $13.32 | $133.17 |
| 35 | 11.4¢ | $11.41 | $114.14 |
| 40 | 10.0¢ | $9.99 | $99.88 |
| 50 | 8.0¢ | $7.99 | $79.90 |
Price: U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline, week of November 9, 2026 (EIA). Each 10¢ change in the gas price moves the cost per mile by 10¢ ÷ MPG: 0.33¢ a mile at 30 MPG.
The table shows why MPG matters more at low numbers. Going from 20 to 25 MPG saves 4¢ a mile. Going from 40 to 50 MPG saves 2¢.
Per month and per year
Your monthly gas cost depends on two things you can measure: how far you drive and your real MPG. Read your odometer on the first of the month and again a month later, or add up the miles in your fill-up records. Then multiply by your cost per mile. For the cost of a single drive, use the gas trip calculator; for a weekly or monthly total, use the gas budget calculator.
What fuel cost per mile leaves out
Gas is only one part of what a car costs per mile. Oil changes, tires, repairs, insurance, registration, and the car losing value all add to it. That is why the IRS standard mileage rate for business driving is much higher than gas alone: it is meant to cover the full cost of running a car. See the IRS mileage rate for the current number. To see your other costs, keep them in a car maintenance log.
Common mistakes
- Using the EPA number for a budget. Your real MPG can be lower, especially in winter and in city driving. Measure it.
- Dividing the wrong way. Price ÷ MPG gives dollars per mile. MPG ÷ price gives miles per dollar (7.5 miles per dollar at 30 MPG and $3.995).
- Mixing up cents and dollars. $0.133 is 13.3¢, not $13.30.
The step-by-step way to find your MPG by hand is in how to calculate MPG.
FAQ
How much does gas cost per mile?
At $3.995 a gallon, the U.S. average in the week of November 9, 2026 (EIA), gas costs about 13.3¢ a mile at 30 MPG, 16.0¢ at 25 MPG, and 20.0¢ at 20 MPG.
Is fuel cost per mile the same as the IRS mileage rate?
No. Fuel cost per mile counts only gas. The IRS standard mileage rate is set to cover the whole cost of running a car for business, including gas, upkeep, insurance, and loss of value, so it is much higher. The current rate is on the IRS mileage rate page.
How do I lower my gas cost per mile?
Drive more smoothly: fueleconomy.gov says aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by roughly 15%–30% at highway speeds. Keep tires at the pressure on the door sticker, carry less weight, and shop for a lower price per gallon.
What does gas cost per month for a typical driver?
It depends on your miles. At 1,000 miles a month in a 30 MPG car and $3.995 a gallon, about $133. Multiply your own monthly miles by your cost per mile.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, U.S. regular gasoline, week of November 9, 2026 (checked November 12, 2026): eia.gov
- fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), Driving more efficiently: fueleconomy.gov
- fueleconomy.gov, How to calculate your MPG: fueleconomy.gov