Fast & Accurate Fuel Consumption Converter
Instantly convert between MPG (Miles Per Gallon) and L/100km (Liters per 100 Kilometers). whether you're comparing US imports to European cars, planning a road trip across Europe, or just trying to understand your vehicle's efficiency, this tool gives you immediate, accurate results. Updated for 2026 fuel prices and vehicle standards.
Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class (2026 Averages)
Typical MPG ranges for different vehicle types in 2026:
| Vehicle Type | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | L/100km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car | 30-35 | 38-42 | 33-38 | 6.2-7.1 |
| Mid-Size Sedan | 26-30 | 34-38 | 29-33 | 7.1-8.1 |
| SUV (Small) | 24-28 | 30-34 | 26-30 | 7.8-9.1 |
| SUV (Large) | 18-22 | 24-28 | 20-24 | 9.8-11.8 |
| Pickup Truck | 17-21 | 22-26 | 19-23 | 10.2-12.4 |
| Hybrid Car | 50-58 | 48-54 | 51-55 | 4.3-4.6 |
| Electric (MPGe) | 100-130 | 80-110 | 90-120 | 2.0-2.6* |
MPG to L/100km Conversion Chart
Quick reference for US to Metric fuel economy conversion:
| MPG | L/100km | Efficiency Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4.7 | Excellent (Hybrid) |
| 40 | 5.9 | Excellent |
| 35 | 6.7 | Very Good |
| 30 | 7.8 | Good |
| 25 | 9.4 | Average |
| 20 | 11.8 | Below Average |
| 15 | 15.7 | Poor |
How to Improve Your Gas Mileage
Practical tips to improve fuel economy and save money in 2026:
Conversion Formulas
Understanding the math behind fuel economy conversions. For related calculations, see our EV savings calculator.
City vs Highway MPG: Why the Difference?
EPA fuel economy ratings show separate city and highway figures because driving conditions dramatically affect efficiency:
2026 Fuel Economy Context
The automotive landscape continues evolving in 2026. The EPA's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards require new car fleets to average approximately 49 MPG by 2026, pushing manufacturers toward more efficient designs. Gasoline prices in early 2026 average around $3.00/gallon nationally, with significant regional variation ($2.20-$4.40). Hybrid technology is now commonplace, with many mainstream sedans offering hybrid variants achieving 50+ MPG combined. Electric vehicle adoption continues growing, though they use different efficiency metrics (MPGe). The increasing availability of turbocharged smaller engines and advanced transmissions (8-10 speeds, CVT) has improved fuel economy across all vehicle classes. However, consumer preference for SUVs and trucks moderates overall fleet fuel economy despite technological advances. When planning your next road trip, combine your vehicle's fuel economy data with our trip cost calculator to get accurate travel expense estimates based on current gas prices and your specific route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is good gas mileage in 2026?
Good fuel economy depends on vehicle type. For sedans, 30+ MPG combined is good, 35+ is very good, and 40+ is excellent (hybrid territory). For SUVs, 25+ MPG is good, 30+ is very good. For trucks, 20+ MPG is good. Below 20 MPG for any vehicle is considered poor in 2026's market with improved engine technology.
Q:How do I calculate my actual MPG?
Fill your tank completely, reset your trip odometer to zero, drive normally until you need fuel again, refill the tank and note gallons added, then divide miles driven by gallons used. For example: 320 miles ÷ 12 gallons = 26.7 MPG. Repeat several times for an accurate average. Avoid topping off as it skews results.
Q:Why is my actual MPG lower than EPA estimates?
EPA tests occur in controlled laboratory conditions. Real-world factors that reduce MPG include: aggressive driving (30% reduction), excessive idling, cold weather (10-20% reduction), short trips before engine warms up, under-inflated tires (3% reduction), excess weight, improper maintenance, and using air conditioning. Highway MPG is usually closer to EPA estimates than city MPG.
Q:What is MPGe for electric vehicles?
MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) allows comparing electric vehicles to gas cars. It measures how far an EV can travel using 33.7 kWh of electricity (energy equivalent to one gallon of gasoline). Most EVs achieve 90-120 MPGe, meaning they're 3-4 times more efficient than gas cars. However, electricity costs vary more by region than gas prices, affecting actual savings.
Q:Does driving slower always improve MPG?
Not exactly. Most vehicles achieve peak fuel economy between 45-65 mph. Driving significantly slower (below 40 mph) or faster (above 70 mph) reduces efficiency. Above 50 mph, each additional 5 mph reduces fuel economy by roughly 7-10% due to aerodynamic drag. At 80 mph, you're using about 25% more fuel than at 65 mph for the same distance.
Q:How much does AC affect gas mileage?
Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 5-25% depending on outside temperature, fan speed, and driving conditions. The impact is greatest in city driving (up to 25% reduction) and minimal on highways (5-10% reduction). At low speeds, open windows have less aerodynamic penalty than AC. Above 50 mph, AC is more efficient than open windows due to drag.
Q:What's the difference between US MPG and UK MPG?
US MPG uses US gallons (3.785 liters), while UK MPG uses imperial gallons (4.546 liters), which are 20% larger. This means UK MPG numbers are 20% higher for the same vehicle. For example, a car rated 30 US MPG would be 36 UK MPG. Always check which gallon type is being used when comparing fuel economy figures internationally.
Q:Can aftermarket modifications improve MPG?
Be skeptical of products claiming major MPG improvements. Proven methods include: adding a cold air intake (1-3% gain), using synthetic oil (1-2% gain), and removing unnecessary weight. However, aggressive modifications like oversized tires or lift kits reduce MPG. The best improvements come from driving habits and maintenance, not aftermarket products. Many add-on products showing dramatic claims are ineffective or even harmful.
Q:How does vehicle weight affect fuel economy?
Reducing vehicle weight by 100 pounds improves fuel economy by approximately 1-2%. This is why removing unnecessary cargo, roof racks when not in use, and excess equipment helps MPG. It's also why compact cars get better mileage than SUVs. However, don't compromise safety equipment for weight savings - the impact of removing 20-50 lbs is minimal (<0.5% improvement).
Q:Should I use premium gas to improve MPG?
Only use premium gas if your vehicle specifically requires it (not just recommends). Most cars designed for regular gas show no MPG improvement with premium despite the $0.40-0.80/gallon higher cost. For a car designed for regular getting 25 MPG, premium would need to improve fuel economy by 15% just to break even on cost - which doesn't happen. Exception: Some turbocharged engines gain 2-5% MPG with premium, but rarely enough to offset the cost.