The cost to drive 1,000 miles depends on just three things: how far you go, how efficient your car is, and the price of fuel or electricity. Here’s the quick math and some real examples.
The formula
- Gas or hybrid: cost = (miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon
- Electric: cost = (miles ÷ 100) × kWh per 100 miles × price per kWh
1,000 miles, by car
Using June 2026 EIA national averages ($3.40/gal, $0.176/kWh):
| Car | Efficiency | Cost / 1,000 mi | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 137 MPGe (25 kWh/100mi) | ~$43 | ~4¢ |
| Toyota Prius | 54 MPG | ~$63 | ~6¢ |
| Toyota RAV4 (gas) | 30 MPG | ~$113 | ~11¢ |
| Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | ~$100 | ~10¢ |
| Ford F-150 | 20 MPG | ~$170 | ~17¢ |
Source: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov efficiency; EIA prices.
The spread is large: a long trip in an efficient EV can cost a quarter of the same trip in a thirsty truck.
Plug in your own numbers
Local gas prices, your real-world MPG and how far you actually drive all move the number. The fuel-cost calculator lets you set all three. To see annual rather than per-trip cost, look up any model on its vehicle page or check the cheapest cars to run.