Cost per 1,000 miles
A 1,000-mile US drive costs roughly $60 in a Prius, $115 in a Camry, $157 in a RAV4, and $215+ in a full-size truck at $3.45/gal. EVs cost ~$45 on home charging or ~$115 on fast chargers.
(1,000 ÷ MPG) × gas price. For 28 MPG at $3.45: $123. Add ~10% for hills, headwinds and AC use.
Most US coast-to-coast trips are 2,500–3,000 miles. A 1,000-mile leg is roughly LA → Denver, Chicago → Dallas, or Miami → Washington DC. Plan your exact trip with the Trip Cost Calculator.
| Vehicle | Combined MPG | Cost @ $3.45/gal | Cost @ $4.50/gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius (hybrid) | 57 | $60 | $79 |
| Honda Civic | 36 | $96 | $125 |
| Toyota Camry | 32 | $108 | $141 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 30 | $115 | $150 |
| Honda Pilot | 22 | $157 | $205 |
| Ford F-150 (V8) | 18 | $192 | $250 |
| Tesla Model Y (home charge) | 4 mi/kWh | $45 (@$0.18/kWh) | — |
Pure fuel cost only. Excludes lodging, food, tolls.
About 15–17 hours of pure driving at 60–65 mph average. Most travelers split it into two days.
1,000 ÷ MPG. A 30 MPG car needs 33 gallons; a 20 MPG SUV needs 50 gallons.
Driving usually wins for 2+ people. Solo travelers should compare ticket + bags + rental car vs fuel + lodging.
