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Fuel Economy Calculator

Calculate fuel economy (MPG, L/100km), fuel costs, trip distances, and fuel consumption. Convert between different fuel economy units and estimate your vehicle's efficiency.

Calculation Mode

Quick Tips:
Enter distance traveled and fuel consumed to calculate MPG and L/100km.

Results

Enter values to see calculation results

Typical Vehicle Fuel Economy

Compact Car
35 MPG
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla
Midsize Sedan
30 MPG
Toyota Camry, Honda Accord
SUV
25 MPG
Ford Explorer, Toyota RAV4
Pickup Truck
20 MPG
Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado
Hybrid Car
50 MPG
Toyota Prius, Honda Insight
Sports Car
22 MPG
Mustang, Camaro
Electric Vehicle
100 MPG
Tesla Model 3 (MPGe)
Motorcycle
55 MPG
Average motorcycle

Fuel economy is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel. It's typically expressed as miles per gallon (MPG) in the US or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) in most other countries. Understanding fuel economy helps you estimate fuel costs, plan trips, and compare vehicle efficiency.

Understanding Fuel Economy Units

Common fuel economy measurements:

  • MPG (Miles per Gallon): Used in the US. Higher is better. 30 MPG means the vehicle travels 30 miles on 1 gallon of fuel.
  • L/100km (Liters per 100 Kilometers): Used in most countries. Lower is better. 8 L/100km means the vehicle uses 8 liters to travel 100 km.
  • km/L (Kilometers per Liter): Used in some countries. Higher is better. 12 km/L means the vehicle travels 12 km on 1 liter of fuel.
  • Conversion: MPG = 235.214 ÷ L/100km. For example, 30 MPG = 7.84 L/100km.

How to Calculate Fuel Economy

Steps to measure your actual fuel economy:

1. Fill your tank completely and reset your trip odometer (or note the odometer reading).
2. Drive normally until you need to refuel (at least 100 miles for accuracy).
3. Fill the tank again and note how many gallons (or liters) it took to fill.
4. Calculate: MPG = Miles driven ÷ Gallons used.
5. Repeat over several tanks for a more accurate average.

Factors Affecting Fuel Economy

Driving Factors:
• Speed (optimal 50-60 mph)
• Acceleration style
• Braking frequency
• Traffic conditions
Vehicle Factors:
• Tire pressure
• Vehicle maintenance
• Vehicle load
• Air conditioning use

Fuel Cost Calculations

How to estimate trip fuel costs:

  • Basic Formula: Cost = (Distance ÷ MPG) × Price per Gallon
  • Example: 500 miles ÷ 25 MPG = 20 gallons. 20 gallons × $3.50 = $70.00
  • Cost per Mile: Price per Gallon ÷ MPG. $3.50 ÷ 25 MPG = $0.14 per mile
  • Annual Cost: Multiply cost per mile by annual miles driven
  • Comparison: Compare vehicles by cost per mile to see true fuel cost difference

Note: Fuel economy can vary significantly based on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, and driving habits. EPA ratings are estimates based on standardized tests. Your actual fuel economy may differ. For the most accurate results, calculate your fuel economy over multiple tanks and different driving conditions.

FAQs

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