How Much Does It Cost to Drive 1000 Miles?
Table of Contents
- The Quick Answer
- The Formula Behind the Math
- 1,000-Mile Fuel Cost Table
- Worked Examples: Sedan, SUV, and Truck
- How Gas Prices Change Your Cost
- EV Comparison: Driving 1,000 Miles on Electricity
- Tips to Reduce Your 1,000-Mile Trip Cost
- What Reddit Users Spend on Long Road Trips
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you are planning a long road trip or a cross-country move, one of the first questions you will ask is how much does it cost to drive 1000 miles. Whether you are heading from New York to Florida, Chicago to Denver, or Los Angeles to Portland, a 1,000-mile drive is one of the most common benchmarks for estimating road trip budgets. The answer depends on two key variables: your vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG) and the price of gas along your route.
In this guide, we will break down the exact formula, show you a comprehensive cost table covering dozens of scenarios, walk through real-world examples for different vehicle types, and share practical tips from drivers on r/roadtrip and r/frugal who have done it themselves. By the end, you will know exactly what your 1,000-mile trip will cost—and how to spend less.
The Quick Answer
For most gasoline-powered vehicles, it costs between $50 and $200+ to drive 1,000 miles. Here is why the range is so wide:
- A fuel-efficient hybrid getting 50 MPG with gas at $3.00 per gallon pays just $60.
- An average sedan at 30 MPG with gas at $3.50 per gallon pays about $117.
- A full-size truck at 17 MPG with gas at $4.00 per gallon pays roughly $235.
Your actual cost depends entirely on your specific MPG and the gas prices you encounter. The formula below will give you a precise number in seconds. If you want an instant answer, plug your numbers into our Fuel Cost Calculator or our Gas Cost for Trip Calculator.
The Formula Behind the Math
Every fuel cost calculation starts with the same straightforward equation. As the U.S. Department of Energy's FuelEconomy.gov explains, you only need three numbers:
For a 1,000-mile trip, the formula simplifies to:
The first half of the equation—1,000 ÷ MPG—tells you how many gallons of gas you will need. Multiply that by the price per gallon, and you have your total fuel cost. For a deeper walkthrough of this formula with additional worked examples, see our guide on how to calculate fuel cost for a road trip.
1,000-Mile Fuel Cost Table
The table below shows the total fuel cost to drive 1,000 miles at various MPG ratings and gas prices. Find the column closest to your vehicle's MPG and the row closest to your local gas price for a quick estimate:
| Gas Price | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 30 MPG | 35 MPG | 40 MPG | 45 MPG | 50 MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00 | $200.00 | $150.00 | $120.00 | $100.00 | $85.71 | $75.00 | $66.67 | $60.00 |
| $3.25 | $216.67 | $162.50 | $130.00 | $108.33 | $92.86 | $81.25 | $72.22 | $65.00 |
| $3.50 | $233.33 | $175.00 | $140.00 | $116.67 | $100.00 | $87.50 | $77.78 | $70.00 |
| $3.75 | $250.00 | $187.50 | $150.00 | $125.00 | $107.14 | $93.75 | $83.33 | $75.00 |
| $4.00 | $266.67 | $200.00 | $160.00 | $133.33 | $114.29 | $100.00 | $88.89 | $80.00 |
| $4.50 | $300.00 | $225.00 | $180.00 | $150.00 | $128.57 | $112.50 | $100.00 | $90.00 |
As you can see, the difference is dramatic. A driver in a 15 MPG truck paying $4.50 per gallon spends $300—five times more than a hybrid driver getting 50 MPG at $3.00 per gallon who pays just $60. This is why understanding highway vs. city MPG matters so much when budgeting for long drives.
Worked Examples: Sedan, SUV, and Truck
Let us put the formula to work with three common vehicle types, all using a national average gas price of $3.50 per gallon based on AAA's gas price tracker:
Example 1: Mid-Size Sedan (30 MPG)
A Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, or similar sedan typically achieves about 30 MPG on the highway. For 1,000 miles:
Example 2: Mid-Size SUV (22 MPG)
A Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, or Chevrolet Traverse averages about 22 MPG on the highway. For 1,000 miles:
Example 3: Full-Size Pickup Truck (17 MPG)
A Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, or Ram 1500 typically gets about 17 MPG on the highway. For 1,000 miles:
The truck driver pays $89 more than the sedan driver for the same 1,000 miles—a 76% increase. Over a round trip, that gap widens to nearly $180. If you are deciding between vehicles for a long road trip, this comparison makes the fuel cost difference very clear. You can also learn how to save money on gas regardless of what you drive.
Gas prices vary widely by state and region, significantly affecting the total cost of a 1,000-mile drive.
How Gas Prices Change Your Cost
Gas prices are the most volatile part of the equation. According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline fluctuates between $3.00 and $4.00 per gallon in most years, but regional differences can be extreme. GasBuddy data shows that on any given day, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive states can exceed $1.50 per gallon.
Here is how regional variation affects the cost of driving 1,000 miles in a 30 MPG sedan:
| Region | Typical Gas Price | Cost for 1,000 Miles (30 MPG) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast (TX, MS, LA) | $2.70–$3.10 | $90–$103 |
| Southeast (FL, GA, SC) | $3.00–$3.40 | $100–$113 |
| Midwest (OH, IN, MO) | $3.00–$3.50 | $100–$117 |
| Northeast (NY, PA, CT) | $3.30–$3.90 | $110–$130 |
| West Coast (CA, WA, OR) | $4.00–$5.00+ | $133–$167+ |
A 1,000-mile drive through Texas might cost under $100 in a sedan, while the same distance through California could cost $167 or more. That is a $67 difference for the exact same car and the exact same distance. If your route crosses multiple states, use GasBuddy's Trip Cost Calculator to estimate costs based on real-time prices along your specific path.
EV Comparison: Driving 1,000 Miles on Electricity
Electric vehicles offer a dramatically different cost picture for long-distance driving. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average EV consumes about 3–4 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and the national average residential electricity price is approximately $0.16 per kWh.
Here is how the math works for an EV driving 1,000 miles:
That is roughly $46 at home charging rates—less than half what the average sedan pays and less than a quarter of what a truck pays. However, there are important caveats for road trips:
- DC fast charging costs more. Public fast chargers like the Tesla Supercharger network or Electrify America typically charge $0.30–$0.50 per kWh, pushing the 1,000-mile cost to $86–$143.
- Charging time adds up. Each fast-charging stop takes 20–40 minutes, and you may need 3–5 stops over 1,000 miles. This adds 1–3 hours to your total trip time compared to a gas vehicle.
- Cold weather and highway speeds reduce range. EV efficiency drops 20–30% in cold weather and at sustained highway speeds above 70 MPH. Using the air conditioning or heating system impacts range further.
Even with DC fast charging, an EV is still cheaper per mile than most gas vehicles. But the time cost and route planning requirements make EVs a different kind of road trip experience.
Tips to Reduce Your 1,000-Mile Trip Cost
Whether you drive a sedan, SUV, or truck, these strategies can meaningfully reduce what you spend on fuel over a 1,000-mile drive:
- Slow down on the highway. Fuel economy drops sharply above 55 MPH. According to the DOE, each 5 MPH over 50 is like paying an extra $0.18–$0.30 per gallon. Driving at 65 instead of 80 can save $20–$40 over 1,000 miles.
- Use cruise control. Maintaining a steady speed is more fuel-efficient than constant acceleration and braking. On flat highways, cruise control can improve MPG by 5–10%.
- Check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance. The DOE estimates that properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by up to 3%—a savings of $3–$6 over 1,000 miles.
- Avoid rooftop cargo carriers. Roof boxes and racks create aerodynamic drag that can reduce highway MPG by 10–25%, according to FuelEconomy.gov. Pack inside the vehicle whenever possible.
- Plan fuel stops with GasBuddy. Use the GasBuddy Trip Cost Calculator to identify the cheapest stations along your route. Drivers on r/roadtrip regularly report saving $15–$25 on long trips by planning their fuel stops in advance.
- Fill up at warehouse clubs. Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's typically price gas $0.15–$0.30 per gallon below nearby stations. Over 1,000 miles, that adds up to $5–$12 in savings.
- Minimize AC usage at lower speeds. Air conditioning can reduce MPG by up to 25% in city driving, though the impact is smaller at highway speeds. Learn more in our post on whether air conditioning uses more gas.
- Travel light. Every 100 pounds of extra weight reduces MPG by about 1–2%. For a 1,000-mile trip, removing unnecessary cargo can save a few dollars in fuel.
For a comprehensive breakdown of fuel-saving strategies, check out our complete guide on how to save money on gas.
What Reddit Users Spend on Long Road Trips
Real drivers on Reddit provide some of the most honest and detailed road trip cost breakdowns you will find online. Here is what they report:
"Just drove from Atlanta to Denver and back—about 2,800 miles total. Spent $280 on gas in my Honda Accord. That works out to exactly $100 per 1,000 miles, which matches the math almost perfectly at 32 MPG and $3.20 average gas price." — r/roadtrip user
"Took our Suburban from Phoenix to Chicago, about 1,750 miles. Gas was over $300 at 16 MPG. We could have flown for less, but the road trip experience with the kids was worth it. Next time I am renting a smaller car for the drive." — r/roadtrip user
Drivers on r/frugal consistently emphasize a few themes when it comes to long-distance driving costs:
- Always budget more than the formula suggests. Detours, city driving, traffic, and elevation changes mean your real MPG will be 5–15% lower than your best highway number. Adding a 10–15% buffer to your calculated cost is standard advice.
- Gas is usually the cheapest part of a road trip. Hotels, food, tolls, and activities often cost far more than fuel. Several r/frugal users note that the gas for a 1,000-mile drive typically costs less than a single night at a mid-range hotel.
- Compare driving vs. flying. For solo travelers, driving 1,000 miles usually costs less than a plane ticket. But for groups of 3–4, splitting gas makes driving overwhelmingly cheaper—$30–$50 per person versus $150–$300 per plane ticket.
Calculate Your Exact 1,000-Mile Fuel Cost
Enter your MPG and gas price to get a precise fuel cost estimate for your trip—no math required.
Use Our Free Fuel Cost CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much gas do I need for a 1,000-mile trip?
Divide 1,000 by your vehicle's MPG. A car getting 30 MPG needs about 33.3 gallons. An SUV at 22 MPG needs about 45.5 gallons. A truck at 17 MPG needs about 58.8 gallons. Check your vehicle's fuel tank capacity to estimate how many fill-up stops you will need along the way.
Is it cheaper to drive or fly 1,000 miles?
For a solo traveler, driving 1,000 miles costs $80–$200 in gas alone, while a one-way flight might cost $100–$300. However, driving also requires time, food, and possibly a hotel. For two or more travelers splitting gas, driving is almost always cheaper. The break-even point depends on your vehicle's MPG, gas prices, flight deals, and how much you value your time.
How long does it take to drive 1,000 miles?
At an average highway speed of 65 MPH, 1,000 miles takes about 15.4 hours of driving time. Including fuel stops, rest breaks, meals, and potential traffic, most drivers complete a 1,000-mile trip in 16–18 hours. Many road trippers split this into two days, driving 500 miles each day with an overnight hotel stop.
How much does it cost to drive 1,000 miles in an electric car?
Charging at home, it costs approximately $40–$55 to drive 1,000 miles in a typical EV, based on an average efficiency of 3–4 miles per kWh and electricity at $0.16 per kWh. Using DC fast chargers on a road trip raises the cost to $85–$145 depending on the network and pricing. Even with fast charging, EVs are generally cheaper per mile than gas vehicles.
What other costs should I budget for on a 1,000-mile road trip?
Beyond fuel, budget for tolls ($10–$50+ depending on your route), food ($20–$50 per person per day), lodging if splitting the trip over two days ($80–$150 per night), and vehicle wear including oil and tire wear at roughly $0.05–$0.10 per mile. AAA estimates the total cost of driving at $0.60–$0.85 per mile when all expenses are included, putting a 1,000-mile trip at $600–$850 in true total cost.