Your annual gasoline use depends primarily on the number of miles you drive and your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Annual gasoline formula
Gallons per year = annual miles ÷ MPG
If you drive 12,000 miles per year and average 30 MPG:
12,000 ÷ 30 = 400 gallons per year
2026 cost example
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported an average regular gasoline price of $4.085 per gallon on August 24, 2026.
Using that price:
400 × $4.085 = approximately $1,634 per year
12,000-mile examples
| MPG | Gallons/Year | Cost at $4.085 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 600 | $2,451 |
| 25 | 480 | $1,961 |
| 30 | 400 | $1,634 |
| 40 | 300 | $1,226 |
Your local gasoline price matters
Fuel prices vary significantly by state and change over time. Use the price you actually pay for the most useful estimate.
Source
U.S. Energy Information Administration Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices, August 24, 2026.
The $4.085 figure is a dated national example, not a forecast.