What Is Good Gas Mileage for a Car?
If you have ever searched "what is good gas mileage for a car" before buying a vehicle or after noticing a jump at the pump, you are asking one of the most practical questions in car ownership. The answer is not a single number—what counts as good gas mileage for a car depends heavily on the type of vehicle, how you drive, and what you are comparing against.
In this guide, we break down real MPG benchmarks by vehicle category using the latest EPA data, explain why context matters more than a single number, and help you figure out whether your own car is performing the way it should.
The National Average: 27.2 MPG
According to the EPA's 2025 Automotive Trends Report, the average real-world fuel economy for new vehicles sold in model year 2024 reached a record high of 27.2 MPG. That is a significant jump from just two decades earlier, when the fleet average was around 19.3 MPG in 2004.
This number serves as a useful baseline. If your car gets better than 27.2 MPG, you are beating the national average. But as JD Power explains, that fleet average blends everything from compact hybrids to heavy-duty pickups, which is why evaluating fuel economy within a specific vehicle class gives you a much more meaningful picture.
Good MPG Benchmarks by Vehicle Type
An SUV and a sedan represent very different MPG expectations. What counts as "good" depends on the category.
The table below shows what qualifies as good gas mileage for each major vehicle category, alongside 2024 average figures from the EPA and benchmarks referenced by Edmunds and AutoZone:
| Vehicle Category | Good MPG Range | 2024 Average MPG |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Cars | 30–40 MPG | ~34 MPG |
| Midsize Sedans | 27–35 MPG | ~34 MPG |
| Small SUVs / Crossovers | 25–32 MPG | ~30 MPG |
| Midsize SUVs | 20–28 MPG | ~26 MPG |
| Full-Size Pickup Trucks | 15–20 MPG | ~20.5 MPG |
| Hybrids | 45–60+ MPG | ~50 MPG |
| Electric Vehicles (EVs) | 100+ MPGe | ~100–130 MPGe |
As AutoZone's guide points out, a pickup truck getting 20 MPG is performing well for its class, while a compact sedan at the same number would be underperforming. Context is everything.
Why "Good" MPG Is Relative to Vehicle Type
Comparing a Toyota Camry to a Ford F-150 on raw MPG alone is like comparing a bicycle to a speedboat on fuel efficiency—they serve fundamentally different purposes. A midsize sedan weighs roughly 3,400 pounds and is optimized for commuting, while a full-size truck can weigh over 5,500 pounds and is built to tow and haul.
This is a point that comes up regularly in Reddit communities like r/cars and r/whatcarshouldIbuy, where real drivers often remind shoppers that the right question is not "what car gets the best MPG?" but rather "what car meets my needs and still gets good MPG for its class?" A frequent piece of advice on those subreddits: if you do not actually need a truck or large SUV, downsizing to a smaller crossover or sedan is the single biggest MPG upgrade you can make.
How EVs and Hybrids Are Changing the Averages
One reason the national fleet average has climbed so quickly is the growing share of hybrid and electric vehicles. According to AFDC fuel economy data, hybrids and plug-in hybrids now represent a significant and fast-growing portion of new vehicle sales, pushing category averages upward.
Hybrids like the Toyota Prius (57 MPG combined) and the Honda Accord Hybrid (48 MPG combined) routinely deliver 45–60+ MPG. Plug-in hybrids can achieve even higher numbers on short trips using electric-only mode. Meanwhile, fully electric vehicles are rated in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), and many exceed 100 MPGe—meaning they use the energy equivalent of one gallon of gas to travel over 100 miles.
The EPA reports that the "car SUV" category now averages 40.5 MPG, largely because it includes popular electric and hybrid crossovers. If you are shopping for maximum fuel efficiency and have access to charging, an EV or hybrid will dramatically outperform any conventional gas-only vehicle. For specific model recommendations, see our list of the best gas mileage cars for 2026.
Keep in mind that the EPA city and highway numbers can tell very different stories about a vehicle's efficiency. Our guide on highway vs city MPG explains why these numbers differ so much and which one matters more for your driving pattern.
How to Check Your Own Car's Fuel Economy
Wondering where your current vehicle stands? Here are three ways to find out:
- Look up the EPA rating. Visit FuelEconomy.gov and search your car's year, make, and model to see its official EPA city, highway, and combined MPG ratings.
- Calculate it yourself. Fill your tank, reset your trip odometer, drive until your next fill-up, then divide the miles driven by the gallons used. This gives you your real-world MPG, which often differs from the EPA estimate.
- Use our MPG calculator. If you want an instant answer without doing the math by hand, enter your numbers into our free MPG calculator and get your result in seconds.
If your real-world MPG is within 10–15% of the EPA combined rating, your car is performing normally. Conditions like city-heavy driving, cold weather, aggressive acceleration, and short trips can all push your actual MPG below the window sticker number.
Factors That Affect Real-World vs. EPA MPG
Your car's EPA rating is tested under controlled laboratory conditions on a dynamometer. Real-world driving introduces variables that can shift your MPG significantly in either direction. According to Edmunds and FuelEconomy.gov, the biggest factors include:
- Driving style. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking can reduce fuel economy by 15–30% in city driving and 10–20% on the highway.
- Speed. Fuel economy drops rapidly above 50 MPH. Driving at 70 MPH versus 55 MPH can cost you 15% or more in efficiency.
- Weather and temperature. Cold weather reduces MPG through thicker oil, longer warm-up times, and winter fuel blends. Hot weather with heavy AC use also cuts efficiency.
- Terrain. Hilly or mountainous routes demand more energy than flat highways, reducing your average MPG.
- Vehicle load. Every additional 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by roughly 1–2%. Roof racks and cargo boxes increase aerodynamic drag, costing another 2–25% depending on speed.
- Tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance. The Department of Energy estimates a 1% MPG loss for every 2 PSI below the recommended pressure across all four tires.
- Fuel quality and ethanol content. E15 gasoline (15% ethanol) contains less energy per gallon than pure gasoline, which can reduce MPG by 4–6%.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Fuel-Efficient Car
If good gas mileage is a priority in your next purchase, JD Power and Edmunds recommend focusing on these factors:
- Choose the right vehicle size. Buy the smallest vehicle that genuinely meets your needs. Moving from a midsize SUV to a compact crossover can save 4–8 MPG.
- Consider a hybrid or PHEV. Hybrid powertrains add $2,000–$4,000 to the purchase price but can save $500–$1,000+ per year in fuel costs, depending on your driving.
- Compare EPA ratings within a class. Even among similar vehicles, MPG can vary by 5–10 points. Use FuelEconomy.gov to compare side by side.
- Check real-world owner reports. EPA estimates are a starting point. Owner forums and communities like r/cars often provide more realistic long-term averages.
- Look at total cost of ownership. A car with slightly lower MPG but a lower purchase price may still cost less over five years than a pricier fuel-sipper. Factor in insurance, maintenance, and depreciation alongside fuel costs.
When Bad MPG Means Your Car Needs Attention
A sudden or gradual decline in fuel economy can be more than an inconvenience—it can signal a mechanical problem. According to AutoZone, watch for these warning signs:
- A drop of 3–5 MPG from your baseline. If your car normally gets 32 MPG and suddenly drops to 27, something has changed.
- Check engine light is on. A faulty oxygen sensor alone can reduce fuel economy by up to 20%. A malfunctioning mass airflow sensor or catalytic converter can also cause significant MPG losses.
- Old or dirty spark plugs. Worn spark plugs cause incomplete combustion, wasting fuel. Most should be replaced every 30,000–100,000 miles depending on type.
- Dragging brakes. A stuck brake caliper creates constant friction, forcing the engine to work harder and burning extra fuel.
- Incorrect tire pressure. This is the most common and easiest-to-fix cause of poor fuel economy. Check your tires monthly.
If your MPG has dropped and you cannot explain it through driving conditions or seasonal changes, schedule a maintenance appointment. Fixing the underlying issue will pay for itself in fuel savings.
Find Out Your Real MPG
Enter your trip distance and fuel used to instantly calculate your miles per gallon and see how your car compares.
Use Our Free MPG CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Is 30 MPG good for a car?
Yes, 30 MPG is above the national fleet average of 27.2 MPG and is considered good for most conventional gasoline-powered cars. For a compact or midsize sedan, 30 MPG is solid but not exceptional—many models in those classes achieve 33–40 MPG. For an SUV or crossover, 30 MPG is excellent. For a full-size truck, 30 MPG would be outstanding and likely indicates a hybrid or diesel powertrain.
What MPG is considered bad?
There is no universal "bad" MPG number because it depends on vehicle type. However, any vehicle getting significantly below its class average may have an issue. A sedan under 25 MPG, a small SUV under 20 MPG, or a truck under 14 MPG would generally be considered poor. If your MPG has dropped 3–5 points below your usual baseline without a change in driving conditions, it may indicate a maintenance problem such as underinflated tires, a dirty air filter, or a faulty oxygen sensor.
Does highway or city driving get better MPG?
For conventional gasoline vehicles, highway driving typically delivers 20–30% better MPG than city driving because you maintain a steady speed without frequent stops and starts. However, hybrids and EVs often perform better in city driving because regenerative braking recaptures energy during deceleration. The EPA tests both scenarios and lists city, highway, and combined ratings for every vehicle at FuelEconomy.gov.
How much money does better gas mileage actually save?
The savings can be substantial. Assuming 12,000 miles per year and gas at $3.25 per gallon: a car getting 20 MPG costs $1,950 in fuel annually, while one getting 30 MPG costs $1,300—a savings of $650 per year. Jumping to a hybrid at 50 MPG drops the annual cost to just $780, saving $1,170 compared to the 20 MPG vehicle. Over five years, that is $5,850 in fuel savings alone.