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Fuel Cost Calculator

See how fuel costs compare for the cars on your shortlist. Choose an EPA entry, enter your annual mileage, and adjust the share of city driving.

Set up a useful comparison

Match the year, engine, transmission and drivetrain, then confirm the exact configuration at FuelEconomy.gov. This calculator supports gasoline, diesel and non-plug-in hybrids. Electric, plug-in and alternative-fuel entries are excluded.

Each vehicle has its own fuel price. Selecting a vehicle loads its fuel type's imported US average, with the date shown below the price field. Replace it with your local pump price; an older imported price may no longer reflect what you will pay. No price is assumed when an import is unavailable.

The calculation uses EPA city and highway ratings to estimate the gallons your driving mix would need. It holds mileage, MPG and fuel prices constant over the ownership period. Insurance, maintenance, depreciation and financing are excluded. How to read EPA MPG ratings.

Start with 12,000 miles/year, 55% city driving and 5 years of ownership, then change these assumptions to fit your plans. A fuel-only saving does not establish which car costs less to own.

Treat the result as a planning estimate. Actual MPG depends on driving, weather and vehicle condition; future pump prices will change. The calculation runs in your browser without sending your entered mileage or fuel price to CarTold.