How Much Does the Average Person Spend on Gas Per Month?
Gain clarity on your monthly gas spending. Explore the key drivers of fuel costs and how to accurately estimate your expenses.
For many individuals and households, understanding personal gas expenditures is important. Fuel costs are a variable yet recurring expense that directly impacts household budgets, and the money spent at the pump can add up quickly.
The Average Monthly Gas Cost
In 2024, the average U.S. household spent approximately $2,148 annually on gasoline, which translates to about $179 per month. The retail price of gasoline averaged $3.30 per gallon in 2024, a decrease from $3.51 per gallon in 2023. While these national averages provide a general overview, actual spending varies significantly based on location and market conditions. For example, in July 2025, the national average for regular gasoline was around $3.14 to $3.15 per gallon.
Key Determinants of Gas Spending
Several factors contribute to variations in gas spending among individuals. The type of vehicle driven plays a large role; larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs consume more fuel than smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Vehicle fuel efficiency, measured in miles per gallon (MPG), directly influences fuel consumption. A car with a higher MPG rating requires fewer gallons to travel the same distance, reducing fuel costs.
The total number of miles driven is another determinant of gas spending. Individuals who commute long distances or travel frequently will incur higher fuel costs. Driving habits also influence fuel consumption; aggressive driving, characterized by rapid acceleration and hard braking, can significantly reduce a vehicle’s MPG. Stop-and-go city driving consumes more fuel than steady highway driving.
Regional differences in gas prices also impact spending. Prices vary considerably across states, cities, and local areas due to factors like local taxes, transportation costs, and refining capacity. For example, in August 2025, California’s gas prices were among the highest at $4.48 per gallon, while Mississippi had some of the lowest at $2.71 per gallon. These disparities mean individuals driving the same distance in different areas will experience different expenditures.
Estimating Your Individual Gas Spending
Calculating your monthly gas expenses involves a straightforward approach considering your driving habits and vehicle efficiency. To estimate, divide your total miles driven per month by your vehicle’s MPG, then multiply that result by the average price per gallon in your area. For instance, driving 1,000 miles a month in a 25 MPG car uses 40 gallons of gas. If the average price is $3.50 per gallon, your monthly cost would be $140.
To accurately track monthly miles, record your odometer reading at the beginning and end of each month, or use a mileage tracking application. For a general estimate, consider your typical daily commute and add average distances for errands and leisure activities. Current local gas prices are available through online tools, smartphone applications, or by observing prices at nearby gas stations.
Account for variations in your driving or gas prices. If you anticipate more long-distance travel, adjust your estimated miles driven. If gas prices fluctuate seasonally, factor in potential higher or lower prices when planning your budget. Regularly reviewing these factors helps maintain a realistic understanding of your personal gas expenditures.
Components of Gasoline Pricing
The retail price of gasoline at the pump is a composite of several distinct elements. The largest component is the cost of crude oil, influenced by global supply and demand. Crude oil can account for a significant portion of the gasoline price, sometimes more than half.
Crude oil undergoes a refining process to be converted into gasoline and other petroleum products. Refining costs and profits represent another component of the price. These costs fluctuate depending on the complexity of the refining process and the crude oil used.
Following refining, gasoline is transported from refineries to distribution terminals and then to retail stations, incurring distribution and marketing costs. This includes expenses for pipelines, trucks, storage facilities, and gas station operations. These logistical expenses vary based on transportation distances and regional infrastructure.
Taxes are a part of the gasoline price, including federal, state, and local taxes. The federal excise tax on gasoline is 18.4 cents per gallon and has remained unchanged since 1993. State and local taxes vary widely; as of January 1, 2024, state taxes and fees on gasoline averaged 32.44 cents per gallon. Some states also levy general sales taxes on gasoline in addition to excise taxes, with these taxes collectively supporting public services like highway infrastructure.