Annual Fuel Cost Comparison
Compare yearly fuel costs between two vehicles to see how much you could save.
Results
Trying to decide between two cars and wondering how much fuel costs will really differ? This comparison calculator shows the annual fuel cost for each vehicle side by side, plus the savings over 5 years. Even a small difference in fuel economy adds up to thousands of dollars over time - especially with today's fuel prices. Works with both MPG and L/100km so you can compare any vehicles from any market.
Explore all our fuel economy calculator tools, or browse the full cooking hub.
Frequently asked questions
Driving 12,000 miles per year at $3.50/gallon, a 35 MPG car costs $1,200 in fuel while a 25 MPG car costs $1,680. That is $480 per year or $2,400 over 5 years.
If the fuel savings over your ownership period exceed the price difference, yes. Calculate annual savings with this tool, then multiply by the years you plan to own the car.
With about 12,000 miles per year at 25 MPG and $3.50/gallon, the average is roughly $1,680 per year. Higher fuel prices or lower MPG increases this significantly.
A truck getting 18 MPG costs about $2,333/year at 12,000 miles and $3.50/gal. A sedan at 32 MPG costs $1,313/year. That is $1,020 more per year for the truck.
A hybrid getting 50 MPG vs a gas car at 30 MPG saves about $560/year at 12,000 miles and $3.50/gal. Over 5 years that is $2,800 in fuel savings alone.