How Many Gallons of Gas Do I Need for a Road Trip?
The formula for figuring out how many gallons a trip will take from distance and fuel economy, with a reference table by vehicle type.
Divide your total distance by your car's MPG. A 500-mile trip in a car that gets 25 MPG needs 500 ÷ 25 = 20 gallons.
Gallons needed for a 500-mile trip, by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | Typical MPG | Gallons for 500 mi |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 50 | 10.0 |
| Compact sedan | 37 | 13.5 |
| Midsize sedan | 33 | 15.2 |
| SUV / crossover | 27 | 18.5 |
| Pickup truck | 21 | 23.8 |
Why your real number might differ
Highway cruising at a steady speed typically beats a vehicle's sticker MPG, while stop-and-go city driving, running the AC hard, or hauling a full load of passengers and cargo can bring it down 10-20%. Your own average from past fill-ups is more reliable than the sticker number for a specific trip.
Enter your own distance and MPG into the Road Trip Cost Calculator for an exact gallon count and total cost.