What Is MPG (Miles Per Gallon)?
MPG (miles per gallon)is the standard measure of fuel efficiency in the United States and United Kingdom. It tells you how many miles your vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. The higher the MPG, the more fuel-efficient your vehicle. Knowing your car's actual MPG helps you budget fuel costs, compare vehicles, and identify maintenance issues that may be reducing efficiency.
How to Calculate Gas Mileage
Formula: MPG = Miles Driven ÷ Gallons Used
Worked example: You drive 300 miles and use 10 gallons of gas: 300 ÷ 10 = 30 MPG. At $3.50/gallon, your cost per mile is $3.50 ÷ 30 = 11.7¢ per mile.
Average MPG by Vehicle Type (2024-2025 Models)
| Vehicle Type | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car (e.g., Honda Civic) | 31 | 40 | 34 |
| Midsize Sedan (e.g., Toyota Camry) | 28 | 39 | 32 |
| SUV (e.g., Honda CR-V) | 28 | 34 | 30 |
| Pickup Truck (e.g., Ford F-150) | 20 | 26 | 23 |
| Hybrid (e.g., Toyota Prius) | 57 | 56 | 57 |
| Electric (MPGe) | 120 | 100 | 110 |
Fuel Costs by Commute Distance
| Daily Commute | Per Day (30 MPG @ $3.50/gal) | Per Month (20 days) | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 miles round trip | $1.17 | $23.33 | $280 |
| 20 miles round trip | $2.33 | $46.67 | $560 |
| 40 miles round trip | $4.67 | $93.33 | $1,120 |
| 60 miles round trip | $7.00 | $140.00 | $1,680 |
Tips to Improve Your Gas Mileage
- Check tire pressure monthly. Under-inflated tires reduce MPG by 2-3%.
- Remove excess weight. Every 100 lbs reduces MPG by ~1%.
- Avoid aggressive driving. Rapid acceleration and braking can reduce MPG by 15-30% at highway speeds.
- Use cruise control on highways to maintain steady speed.
- Reduce idle time. Idling gets 0 MPG — turn off the engine if parked for more than 60 seconds.
- Combine trips. Multiple short trips use more fuel than one longer trip of the same total distance.
Sources and References
- U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. (2024). fueleconomy.gov.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Fuel Economy Guide. epa.gov/fueleconomy.
- American Automobile Association (AAA). (2025). Your Driving Costs Study.
- Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Standard Mileage Rates. irs.gov.