How Many Miles Does a Full Tank of Gas Last? (Fuel Economy Explained)

The distance a vehicle can travel on a single tank of gas varies based on its make, model, fuel efficiency (mpg), and the tank’s capacity. Typically, a gas tank holds between 18 and 25 gallons, with an average fuel efficiency of 24 miles per gallon.

How Far Can a Full Tank Take You?

When choosing a vehicle, one key consideration is its fuel efficiency, measured in miles per gallon (mpg).

Some vehicles have poor fuel efficiency, such as gas-hungry models that achieve only 12 miles per gallon. In contrast, fuel-efficient cars like the Prius can reach up to 55 miles per gallon.

For perspective, a 2019 EPA study found that the average fuel efficiency for American vehicles was 24 miles per gallon. As engine and eco-friendly technologies advance, this average is expected to improve.

A gas-guzzling vehicle with a 12 mpg rating and a 25-gallon tank can travel 300 miles on a full tank. While 300 miles is decent, 12 mpg is well below the national average for vehicle fuel efficiency.

The Prius, despite having a smaller 10- to 11-gallon tank, performs far better due to its high mpg. This allows drivers to cover 500 to 550 miles on a single tank of gas.

Achieving 40 miles per gallon significantly exceeds the national average of 24 mpg. This is why many manufacturers are incorporating eco-friendly technologies into their vehicles.

Higher fuel efficiency is a major factor for buyers, often influencing their decision when selecting a new or used vehicle. For some, it’s the primary reason for choosing one model over another.

Certain vehicles, like SUVs, large trucks, or diesel pickups, come with oversized or dual tanks, holding 30 to 40 gallons in a single tank or up to 50 gallons in dual tanks.

While tank capacity matters, the distance a vehicle can travel per gallon of gas is a more critical factor.

How to Calculate Your Vehicle’s Travel Distance

As shown earlier, determining how far your vehicle can go on a full tank is straightforward.

Next time you’re shopping for a car or considering a friend’s offer, you can easily estimate the vehicle’s range on a full tank.

Simply find out the gas tank’s maximum capacity and the vehicle’s city and highway fuel efficiency ratings.

Vehicles have two mpg ratings: one for highway driving, where they can travel freely, and another for city driving, where efficiency is lower due to stops, turns, and idling.

City driving consumes more fuel due to frequent stops at lights, turns, and varying speeds in traffic.

Highway driving, however, allows for better fuel efficiency since the vehicle maintains a steady speed without stopping or idling.

If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s city and highway mpg, you can look it up online by checking the make, model, and year on https://www.fueleconomy.gov/ or similar fuel efficiency websites.

Commuting Considerations

Now that you understand the importance of fuel efficiency and tank size, how do these factors impact the daily life of the average American?

The typical American drives 16 miles one way to work, spending about 24 minutes in their vehicle. This makes the round-trip commute 32 miles.

Most cars have tank capacities of 12 to 18 gallons, while larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs may hold 20 to 25 gallons. The average U.S. vehicle achieves 24 miles per gallon.

With these figures, we can perform some calculations.

For a car with a 16-gallon tank and 24 mpg, a full tank provides a range of 384 miles. With a 32-mile round-trip commute, this allows for 12 trips to and from work. At $3.69 per 0.9 gallons, filling the tank costs approximately $59.

This calculation assumes the driver only travels to and from work. However, since most Americans rely on their vehicles for work commutes, knowing how far a tank of gas can take them is essential.

Final Thoughts

The distance a vehicle can travel on a full tank depends on its make, model, year, fuel efficiency, and tank capacity. Typical car tanks hold 12 to 18 gallons, while trucks and SUVs may hold 20 to 25 gallons.

The average U.S. vehicle achieves 24 mpg. With a 16-gallon tank, a vehicle with this efficiency can travel 384 miles before needing a refill.