MPG Calculator - Miles Per Gallon

Calculate your vehicle's fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (km/L). Enter your distance traveled and fuel consumed to instantly see your fuel economy, cost per mile, and compare with average vehicles.

25.0 MPG
Your Vehicle's Fuel Efficiency
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km per liter
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L/100km
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Cost per mile
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Total fuel cost

Fuel Efficiency Comparison

How Does Your Vehicle Compare?

Vehicle Type Average MPG Efficiency

Trip Cost Estimator

Understanding MPG - Miles Per Gallon

Miles per gallon (MPG) is the standard measurement of fuel efficiency in the United States. 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 is, meaning you'll spend less money on gas and produce fewer emissions.

How to Calculate MPG

Calculating your vehicle's MPG is straightforward. You need two pieces of information: the distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed.

MPG = Distance (miles) ÷ Fuel Used (gallons)

Example: If you drove 300 miles and used 12 gallons of gas:
MPG = 300 ÷ 12 = 25 MPG

Step-by-Step MPG Calculation

  1. Fill your tank completely and record the odometer reading.
  2. Drive normally until you need to refuel.
  3. Fill up again and note how many gallons it took.
  4. Record the new odometer reading and subtract the old reading.
  5. Divide miles driven by gallons used to get your MPG.

MPG vs. Other Fuel Efficiency Metrics

Different countries use different measurements for fuel efficiency:

  • MPG (US): Miles per US gallon (1 US gallon = 3.785 liters)
  • MPG (UK): Miles per Imperial gallon (1 UK gallon = 4.546 liters)
  • km/L: Kilometers per liter (common in many countries)
  • L/100km: Liters per 100 kilometers (used in Europe, Canada, Australia)
Conversion Tip:
To convert MPG (US) to L/100km: L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG
To convert MPG (US) to km/L: km/L = MPG × 0.425144

Factors That Affect Your MPG

Many factors influence your vehicle's fuel efficiency:

  • Driving Habits: Aggressive acceleration, high speeds, and frequent braking reduce MPG
  • Vehicle Maintenance: Proper tire pressure, clean air filters, and regular tune-ups improve efficiency
  • Traffic Conditions: Stop-and-go traffic uses more fuel than highway driving
  • Weather: Cold weather reduces fuel efficiency due to denser air and longer warm-up times
  • Air Conditioning: Using A/C increases fuel consumption by 5-25%
  • Weight: Extra cargo reduces MPG; remove unnecessary items from your vehicle
  • Aerodynamics: Roof racks, open windows at high speeds, and vehicle design affect efficiency

Average MPG by Vehicle Type

  • Compact Cars: 28-35 MPG
  • Midsize Sedans: 25-32 MPG
  • SUVs: 18-28 MPG
  • Pickup Trucks: 15-22 MPG
  • Hybrid Vehicles: 40-60 MPG
  • Electric Vehicles: 100+ MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent)

Tips to Improve Your MPG

  1. Drive smoothly: Avoid rapid acceleration and harsh braking
  2. Maintain steady speeds: Use cruise control on highways
  3. Keep tires properly inflated: Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance
  4. Remove excess weight: Every 100 pounds reduces MPG by about 1%
  5. Plan efficient routes: Combine errands and avoid traffic when possible
  6. Don't idle excessively: Turn off the engine if stopped for more than a minute
  7. Use the recommended fuel grade: Premium fuel doesn't help if not required

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good MPG for a car?
The average new car in the US achieves about 25-27 MPG combined. A good MPG depends on vehicle type: 30+ MPG for sedans, 25+ MPG for SUVs, and 40+ MPG for hybrids is considered above average.
How many gallons do I need for a 300-mile trip?
Divide the trip distance by your vehicle's MPG. For example, at 25 MPG: 300 miles ÷ 25 MPG = 12 gallons needed.
Why is my actual MPG lower than the EPA estimate?
EPA estimates are based on standardized tests. Real-world driving includes factors like traffic, weather, driving style, and vehicle condition that often result in lower MPG. Most drivers achieve 10-20% less than EPA estimates.
Does highway or city driving get better MPG?
Highway driving typically gets better MPG because you maintain steady speeds without frequent stopping. City driving involves acceleration, braking, and idling that consume more fuel. However, very high highway speeds (75+ mph) can reduce efficiency.
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