Fuel Cost Calculator · Practical guide
Cost of Driving 1,000 Miles
A 1,000-mile drive burns $88 to $175 in gas at $3.50 per gallon, depending entirely on your vehicle's MPG.
At a glance
The Short Answer
Driving 1,000 miles costs 1,000 ÷ MPG × gas price. At $3.50 per gallon, a 25 MPG car needs 40 gallons — $140.00 total, or $0.14 per mile. Plug your own MPG and local price into the calculator above for an exact figure.
Interactive tool
Fuel Cost Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Fuel Cost Results
1,000 Miles at Different Efficiencies
| Vehicle MPG | Gallons Needed | Fuel Cost at $3.50/gal |
|---|---|---|
| 20 MPG | 50.0 | $175.00 |
| 25 MPG | 40.0 | $140.00 |
| 30 MPG | 33.3 | $116.67 |
| 35 MPG | 28.6 | $100.00 |
| 40 MPG | 25.0 | $87.50 |
Gas Price Swings Matter on Long Drives
On a 1,000-mile trip, every 50-cent difference in gas prices moves the total by $14 to $25 depending on your MPG. Prices vary widely by state, so check prices along your route — filling up in cheaper states can shave $20 or more off a cross-country leg.
Do Not Forget the Other Costs
Fuel is the obvious expense, but a 1,000-mile drive also typically means one to two hotel nights, meals, and possibly tolls. Tolls alone can exceed the fuel cost on some Northeast routes. Budget fuel first with the calculator, then add roughly $150-$300 for food and lodging per overnight stop.
Driving vs Flying
At $140 in gas, a 1,000-mile solo drive usually beats airfare on price but costs about 15-16 hours of driving time (typically split over two days). With two or more passengers sharing the fuel, driving almost always wins on cost — split four ways, the $140 trip is $35 per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours does it take to drive 1,000 miles?
At an average of 65 mph including fuel and rest stops, expect about 15 to 16 hours of driving. Most drivers split 1,000 miles into two days of 500 miles each.
How many tanks of gas is 1,000 miles?
With a 15-gallon tank and 25 MPG, your range is about 375 miles, so plan on roughly three fill-ups for 1,000 miles.
Does towing change the cost?
Significantly. Towing a trailer can cut highway MPG by 30-50%, which could turn a $140 fuel bill into $200 or more. Enter your loaded MPG, not the empty rating.
What about electric vehicles?
This calculator estimates liquid fuel costs. For an EV, the equivalent math uses kWh consumed times the charging price, which varies between home and fast-charging rates.