Boneyard Tools

Fuel Savings Calculator

Compare a current vehicle to a more efficient one. Enter your annual miles, the price of gas and the mpg of each car to see how much you would save in a year.

How to calculate fuel savings

  1. Enter the miles you drive in a year.
  2. Enter the price of gas per gallon and the mpg of each vehicle.
  3. Read the annual savings and the gallons of fuel saved.

Examples

20 mpg vs 30 mpg

12,000 mi, $3.50/gal, 20 vs 30 mpg
save $700 a year, 200 gallons

Annual cost each

same inputs
$2,100 vs $1,400 per year

Frequently asked questions

How is annual fuel cost calculated?

Divide your annual miles by the vehicle's mpg to get gallons used, then multiply by the price per gallon. The savings is the difference between the two yearly costs.

Why do small mpg gains matter less at high mpg?

Fuel use depends on gallons, not mpg directly. Going from 15 to 20 mpg saves far more fuel than going from 40 to 45 mpg over the same miles.

What gas price should I use?

Use a recent local price per gallon. You can re-run the numbers with a higher price to see how much more a thirsty vehicle would cost if prices rise.

Does this account for hybrids or electric vehicles?

It compares two gasoline mpg figures. For an EV, convert its efficiency to an equivalent mpg or compare energy cost separately.

Should I include maintenance and insurance?

No. This tool isolates fuel cost. Total cost of ownership also includes maintenance, insurance, depreciation and financing.

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