Free calculator
Cost Per Mile Calculator
Fuel economy tells you how far a gallon goes. Cost per mile tells you what driving actually costs. This calculator converts one into the other, at the price you pay.
Fuel cost per mile
$0.000
- Per 100 miles
- $0.00
- Per 1,000 miles
- $0.00
- Annual fuel cost
- $0.00
- Gallons per 100 miles
- 0.0
The formula
Cost per mile = price per gallon ÷ miles per gallon. A car that gets 20 MPG at $4.27 per gallon costs 21.4 cents per mile in fuel. A car that gets 40 MPG costs 10.7 cents. The difference over 13,500 miles is about $1,440 a year.
Why this metric is useful
MPG is not linear with cost. Going from 15 to 20 MPG saves more fuel than going from 40 to 45 MPG, because the first upgrade removes a larger share of the gallons used. Cost per mile makes that visible:
| Vehicle | MPG | Fuel cost per mile | Annual cost (13,500 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size pickup | 17 | $0.251 | $3,391 |
| Mid-size SUV | 24 | $0.178 | $2,402 |
| Sedan | 32 | $0.133 | $1,802 |
| Hybrid sedan | 52 | $0.082 | $1,109 |
Fuel cost vs total cost per mile
Fuel is only part of what driving costs. Depreciation, insurance, maintenance, tires, and fees typically add far more than fuel for a newer vehicle. This calculator deliberately isolates fuel, because the pump price is what changes week to week. For reimbursement purposes, use the IRS standard mileage rate, which bundles all operating costs into a single number.
Practical uses
- Deciding whether a longer commute to a cheaper home is worth it.
- Comparing two cars you are shopping for, at the price you actually pay.
- Budgeting for a job that reimburses a fixed per-mile amount.
- Working out whether a delivery or rideshare route is profitable after fuel.
If you do not know your real MPG, track one tank: record the odometer at fill-up, fill the tank, drive normally, and divide the miles by the gallons you put in next time. Our gas mileage calculator does the math for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cost per mile for gas?
Divide the price per gallon by the car’s miles per gallon. At $4.27 per gallon and 28 MPG, fuel costs 4.27 ÷ 28 = $0.1525 per mile, or about 15 cents a mile.
Does cost per mile include maintenance and insurance?
No, this calculator covers fuel only. The IRS business mileage rate — which includes fuel, depreciation, maintenance, and insurance — is much higher. Use this tool for fuel budgeting and the IRS rate for reimbursement or tax purposes.
Why does cost per mile matter more than MPG?
MPG is a ratio; cost per mile is the number that affects your wallet. It also makes comparisons across vehicles and fuel prices direct: a 50 MPG hybrid at $4.27 and a 25 MPG sedan at $2.13 cost the same per mile.
How much does a 30 MPG car cost per 100 miles?
At the current national average, a 30 MPG car uses 3.33 gallons per 100 miles, which costs about $14.24. A 15 MPG truck uses 6.67 gallons and costs about $28.48 for the same distance.