How Many Miles Per Gallon Of Gas?

Every car owner dreams of driving down the highway without stopping for fuel. The problem is that cars still use gas to operate. And to make matters confusing, each car make and model has a different MPG (miles per gallon) rating! So, how many miles can you drive on a single gallon of gas?

The US Department of Energy noted that the average car could travel 24.2 miles per gallon (MPG) of gas. Light trucks and vans are significantly less fuel-efficient, with just 17.5 MPG. The exact figures vary between vehicle types, as well as makes and models.

In this guide, I’m going to describe the importance of gauging fuel economy when purchasing a car, the estimated MPG figures for popular cars by brand, and what you can do to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Importance of Fuel Economy When Purchasing a Car

Fuel economy is an important consideration when purchasing a car, as it can significantly impact your cost of ownership. By choosing a car with good fuel economy, you can reduce your fuel expenses and save money in the long run.

Additionally, cars with better fuel economy emit fewer pollutants (PDF), which helps to reduce their overall impact on the environment. Fuel economy can also play a role in a car’s resale value, as vehicles that are known for their efficiency tend to retain their value better over time.

When considering fuel economy, it is important to take a holistic approach and look at the car’s overall operating costs, including maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. While a car with better fuel economy may have a higher upfront cost, the savings in fuel costs over time can offset this difference. Furthermore, with advances in technology, today’s cars offer better fuel economy than ever before, making it easier to find a car that meets your needs while also being kinder to your wallet and the environment.

Ultimately, the importance of fuel economy when purchasing a car will vary based on your individual driving needs, preferences, and budget. By considering fuel economy as one of many factors, you can make an informed decision that best meets your needs and helps you achieve your driving goals.

How Many Miles Per Gallon of Gas?

On average, you can expect a car to cover a distance of 24.2 miles on a single gallon of gas. If you drive a light truck or van, this figure drops to around 17.5 gallons. Of course, the exact figures will depend on the type of car you drive and your driving behavior.

To get a better understanding of how many miles the average car can travel per gallon of fuel, let’s take a look at specific car and truck examples. All of the figures were taken from the US Department of Energy’s extremely comprehensive report of fuel economy for cars. Visit the website if you’d like to learn more about specific car makes, models, and years.

1. Audi

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
R8 Coupe 19 13 15
TT Roadster 23 30 26
A5 Coupe 24 31 27
RS 5 Coupe 18 25 21
A4 S-Line 24 31 27
A5 Sportback 24 31 27
Q5 Sportback 23 28 25
Q7 Quattro 18 23 20
A6 Allroad 21 28 23

2. Chrysler

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Pacifica 19 28 22
Voyager 19 28 22
300 19 30 23

3. Dodge

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Durango 14 22 17
Challenger 19 30 23
Charger 19 30 23

4. Ford

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Maverick 23 30 26
Edge 21 28 23
Escape 44 37 41
Bronco 25 28 26
Explorer 18 26 21
F150 20 26 22
Ranger 21 26 23
Mustang 20 27 22
EcoSport 23 29 25
Expedition 16 23 19

5. Honda

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Odyssey 19 28 22
Insight 51 45 48
Civic 33 42 36
HR-V 27 31 29
Pilot 20 27 23
Ridgeline 18 24 21
CR-V 28 34 30
Civic 31 39 35
Accord 22 32 26
Passport 20 25 22

6. Hyundai

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Tucson 26 33 29
Kona 29 35 32
Veloster 20 27 22
Sonata 45 51 47
Palisade 19 26 22
Elantra 31 41 35
Santa Cruz 21 26 23
Santa Fe 25 28 26
Accent 33 41 36
Venue 29 33 31
Ioniq 54 57 55

7. Kia

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Stinger 21 29 24
Carnival 19 26 22
Sportage 20 28 23
Seltos 29 35 31
K5 29 38 32
Soul 28 33 30
Telluride 20 26 23
Niro 51 45 49
Sorento 39 35 37
Forte 22 31 26
Rio 33 41 36

8. Mazda

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
CX-9 20 26 23
CX-5 24 30 26
MX-5 26 34 29
Mazda 3 28 36 31
CX-30 24 31 26

9. Mitsubishi

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Eclipse 25 28 26
Outlander 24 31 27
Mirage 33 41 36

10. Nissan

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Pathfinder 21 26 23
Armada 14 19 16
Frontier 18 24 20
Altima 28 39 32
Maxima 20 30 24
Murano 20 28 23
Versa 32 40 35
Sentra 29 39 33
Rogue 29 36 32
Kicks 31 36 33
Titan 16 21 18

11. Subaru

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Legacy 27 35 30
Outback 26 33 29
Impreza 23 31 26
Ascent 21 27 23
BRZ 20 27 22
Forester 26 33 29
Crosstrek 22 29 25
WRX 19 26 22

12. Toyota

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
Corolla 30 38 33
Prius 54 50 52
GR Supra 25 32 28
Camry 22 33 26
Sequoia 13 17 15
Avalon 22 32 26
4Runner 16 19 17
Tacoma 19 24 21
GR 86 21 31 25
Highlander 21 29 24
Venza 40 37 39
Tundra 18 23 20
C-HR 27 31 29
RAV4 27 35 30

13. Volvo

Model City MPG Highway MPG Estimated Combined MPG
S60 26 35 30
S90 23 31 26
V60CC T5 22 31 25
XC40 T4 23 32 26
XC90 T5 20 28 23
SXC60 B5 23 30 26

Tips for Improving Fuel Economy

Take a look at the following tips to see how you can improve your car’s fuel economy.

1. Drive at a consistent speed

This reduces engine stress and allows the car’s fuel-saving technologies to work more efficiently. Sudden acceleration and heavy braking can disrupt the flow of fuel to the engine and increase fuel consumption. Maintaining a consistent speed helps the engine run more smoothly, reducing the fuel required to maintain a given speed and improving fuel efficiency.

2. Use cruise control

Use cruise control

Cruise control can improve fuel economy by helping you maintain a consistent speed and reducing the need for sudden acceleration and heavy braking. This reduces engine stress and allows the car’s fuel-saving technologies to work more efficiently. By keeping the car’s speed constant, cruise control can also help you drive more smoothly and reduce fuel consumption, improving your overall fuel economy.

3. Shed unnecessary weight

This is simple math—the less weight your car needs to bear, the less strain there is on the engine, and the farther your car can travel per gallon of gas. By removing excess weight, such as heavy tools, sports equipment, and unused cargo, you can reduce the load on the engine and improve fuel efficiency. This simple step can help you save fuel and reduce your environmental impact.

4. Maintain proper tire pressure

Maintain proper tire pressure

Proper tire pressure can improve fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance, which is the force that opposes a tire’s motion. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, making it harder for the engine to move the car and requiring more fuel to maintain a given speed. By maintaining proper tire pressure, you can reduce rolling resistance, improve fuel efficiency, and extend the life of your tires.