Do you understand how to evaluate gas milage? Whether you are appraising your current car or shopping for a new one, it is a good skill to have and all it takes is some basic math.

Gas milage is calculated using a metric called “Miles Per Gallon,” or MPG. That means the number of miles a car can travel by burning one gallon of gasoline or diesel (the same metric applies to both).

For example, the average car in America gets 24.4 miles per gallon, according to 2024 numbers from the U.S. Department of Energy, while light trucks and vans average 17.8. A motorcycle averages 44. A school bus averages 6.5.

MPG is so important that you will see it listed on the dealer sticker when you shop for new cars. Often there will be two numbers: one for city driving, where stops and starts lower gas milage, and one for highway driving. Most cars get better gas milage on the highway.

Why MPG is Important

MPG is important because it tells us how much it costs to keep our vehicles running. The more miles you can go on a gallon of gas, the lower your costs. That means higher MPG numbers are better.

For example, a car with a 10-gallon tank that gets 24 miles a gallon can go 240 miles. If gas costs $3.50 a gallon, it will cost $35 to fill the tank. If you drive that car 12,000 miles a year, you will fill the tank 50 times and pay $1,750 for all that gas.

If that car gets only 16 miles per gallon, however, costs go up. A tank will only take you 160 miles, meaning you will have to fill up 75 times during the year at a cost of $2,625. That’s about $875 more every year.

Given the numbers, it is no wonder that many drivers are willing to upgrade their car periodically to ensure they are getting solid gas milage. As the technology under the hood improves, many cars are posting dramatically better numbers. For example, hybrid vehicles, which are powered both by batteries and combustion engines, often stretch gas much farther. Some cars also have a feature that turns off the engine at stop lights and in traffic, lowering the amount of gas used and increasing MPG.

If you are interested in buying a car with potentially better gas milage, take the first step and get pre-qualified for auto financing with Credit Acceptance. Simply fill out the online form to see what kind of financing is available, before you visit a car dealership. With financing in place, you can shop with confidence and find a more economical vehicle.