How do I calculate fuel cost per mile?

Divide the price per gallon by your vehicle's miles per gallon (MPG). For example, if gas costs $3.50 per gallon and your car gets 28 MPG, your fuel cost per mile is $3.50 / 28 = $0.125 per mile. Enter your vehicle details above to calculate this automatically.

How much does it cost to drive 1000 miles?

Divide 1000 by your MPG to get the gallons needed, then multiply by the price per gallon. For a car getting 28 MPG at $3.50 per gallon: 1000 / 28 = 35.7 gallons x $3.50 = $125. Use this calculator to compare costs across different stations and fuel prices.

How do I compare gas prices between stations?

Enter up to three station prices in the Station Price Comparison section above. The calculator shows the cost per fill-up, annual fuel expense, and total savings for each station so you can pick the cheapest option near you.

Fuel Price Comparison Calculator

Volume Unit

Vehicle Profile

Enter your vehicle details to calculate fuel costs accurately.

Fuel Type Tank Size (gallons) Weekly Miles Driven Fuel Economy (MPG)

Station Price Comparison

Enter prices from up to 3 stations to compare cost per fill-up and annual fuel expenses.

Station 1 Name Price per gallon ($)

Station 2 Name Price per gallon ($)

Station 3 Name (optional) Price per gallon ($)

Savings Calculator

See how much you save per fill-up and per year by choosing the cheapest station.

Fuel Economy Tips and Buying Guide

How to Save Money on Gas

Fuel is one of the largest recurring expenses for drivers. Even small price differences between stations add up over time. A $0.10 per gallon difference on a 14-gallon tank saves $1.40 per fill-up, which amounts to over $70 per year if you fill up weekly. Shopping around and using price comparison tools can lead to meaningful annual savings.

Understanding Fuel Grades

Most gas stations offer three grades of gasoline: regular (87 octane), mid-grade (89 octane), and premium (91-93 octane). Unless your vehicle's owner manual specifically requires premium fuel, using regular unleaded is perfectly fine and saves you $0.30 to $0.60 per gallon. Higher octane does not improve performance or fuel economy in engines designed for regular fuel.

Diesel vs. Gasoline

Diesel engines typically deliver 25-35% better fuel economy than comparable gasoline engines. However, diesel fuel often costs more per gallon. When comparing total fuel costs, factor in the higher MPG rating of diesel vehicles. For high-mileage drivers, diesel can be more cost-effective despite the higher per-gallon price.

Driving Habits That Improve Fuel Economy

Maintain steady speeds: Use cruise control on highways. Frequent acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by 15-30%.
Reduce idling: Idling wastes fuel. If you are stopped for more than 60 seconds, turn off the engine.
Check tire pressure: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance. Keeping tires at the recommended pressure improves MPG by up to 3%.
Remove excess weight: Every 100 pounds of extra weight reduces fuel economy by about 1%. Clear out unnecessary cargo.
Plan routes efficiently: Combine errands and avoid peak traffic hours to reduce stop-and-go driving.

When to Fill Up

Gas prices tend to be lowest early in the week (Monday through Wednesday) and highest on weekends. Prices also fluctuate seasonally, with summer blends costing more due to stricter environmental regulations. Filling up in the morning when fuel is cooler gives you slightly denser fuel per gallon, though the difference is minimal with modern underground storage tanks.

Gallons vs. Liters

In the United States, fuel is sold by the gallon (3.785 liters). In most other countries, fuel is priced per liter. When comparing international fuel prices, remember that 1 US gallon equals approximately 3.785 liters. This calculator supports both units so you can compare prices regardless of your location.