How to calculate gas cost per mile

In today’s world, understanding your vehicle’s gas consumption is crucial for budgeting and choosing the right car for your needs. Knowing how much it costs to drive per mile can help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected expenses. This article will guide you through a step-by-step process to calculate the gas cost per mile for your vehicle.
Step 1: Determine your vehicle’s fuel efficiency (miles per gallon)
Fuel efficiency, measured in miles per gallon (MPG), is an important factor when calculating gas cost per mile. To find your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, check the owner’s manual or search online for its specific make and model. Alternatively, you can calculate fuel efficiency yourself by taking note of your odometer reading before filling up your gas tank and again after emptying it. Divide the total number of miles driven by the number of gallons consumed during this period to determine your MPG.
Step 2: Identify current gas prices
Find out the cost of one gallon of gas in your area. You can do this by checking local gas stations or referring to websites that list daily average gas prices for a particular region. Make a note of the price per gallon in USD.
Step 3: Calculate the cost per mile
With the MPH and gas price information, you can now calculate the gas cost per mile using this formula:
Cost per mile = Price per gallon / Miles per gallon
For example:
1) Assume that your vehicle has an average fuel efficiency of 25 MPG.
2) The current price of one gallon of gas in your area is $3.00.
By following the formula, we get:
Cost per mile = $3.00 / 25 MPG
Cost per mile = $0.12
In conclusion, by knowing how to calculate the gas cost per mile for your vehicle, you can better plan for long-distance road trips, accurately estimate driving expenses for work or personal budgeting, and make smarter decisions when considering a new car purchase.