Gas Mileage Calculator
Fuel Economy Tips
Drive Efficiently
Avoid aggressive acceleration. Every 5 mph over 50 costs more fuel.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Keep tires properly inflated and engine tuned for best MPG.
Average MPG by Type
Related Calculators
Understanding Fuel Economy
How to Calculate MPG
Miles per gallon (MPG) measures how far your vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG means better fuel efficiency and lower fuel costs.
MPG Formula
Factors Affecting Fuel Economy
Decreases MPG
- Aggressive acceleration
- Speeding (over 50 mph)
- Excessive idling
- Under-inflated tires
- Heavy cargo
- Using A/C at low speeds
Increases MPG
- Smooth acceleration
- Maintaining steady speed
- Proper tire inflation
- Regular maintenance
- Removing excess weight
- Windows up at highway speed
MPG vs L/100km
The US uses MPG (higher is better), while most other countries use liters per 100 kilometers (lower is better).
| MPG (US) | L/100km | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4.7 | Excellent |
| 35 | 6.7 | Good |
| 25 | 9.4 | Average |
| 15 | 15.7 | Poor |
Money-Saving Tips
- Every 5 mph over 50 is like paying an extra $0.20/gallon
- Proper tire pressure can improve MPG by up to 3%
- Removing 100 lbs of cargo improves MPG by about 1%
- A well-tuned engine can improve MPG by up to 4%
- Use cruise control on highways to maintain steady speed
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my car's MPG?
Fill your tank completely, reset your trip odometer, drive normally until you need gas again, then divide miles driven by gallons used. Formula: MPG = Miles Driven / Gallons Used. For accuracy, repeat over several fill-ups.
What is considered good gas mileage?
Good gas mileage varies by vehicle type. Compact cars: 30-40 MPG is good, 40+ is excellent. SUVs: 25-30 MPG is good. Trucks: 20-25 MPG is good. Hybrids typically achieve 45-60 MPG, while EVs equivalent can exceed 100 MPGe.
Why is my MPG lower than the EPA estimate?
EPA tests are conducted under controlled conditions. Real-world factors that lower MPG include aggressive driving, speeding, city driving with frequent stops, cold weather, using AC, under-inflated tires, and carrying heavy loads.
How can I improve my gas mileage?
Drive smoothly without rapid acceleration, maintain 55-65 MPH on highways, keep tires properly inflated (can improve MPG by 3%), remove excess weight, use cruise control, avoid excessive idling, and keep up with regular maintenance.