How Much Do People Spend on Gas Each Month?

For most Americans, driving and owning a car are integral parts of life. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 91.6% of households own at least one car, truck, or SUV, and more than half have two or more. American drivers spend 93 billion hours behind the wheel each year, so it’s no surprise that gasoline is one of the biggest recurring household expenses.

In late November 2024, gas prices fell to their lowest levels since May 2021. AAA estimated the national average cost of gasoline on November 28, 2024, to be $3.065 per gallon.

This price drop impacts how much people spend on gas each month, which can vary based on regional pricing, global events, and policy changes. Discover U.S. drivers' average monthly gas expenses and how those costs differ across states.

National Average Gasoline Expenditures

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks annual household spending through the Consumer Expenditures Report. Based on 2023 data, an average consumer unit (household) earns $101,805 before taxes and spends $77,280 annually on expenses like housing, food, and education.

Transportation makes up $13,174 yearly—with gasoline alone making up $2,449. Breaking it down further:

• About 17% of American household annual expenses go toward transportation, including buying and maintaining vehicles, buying fuel, and using public transit.
• Gasoline makes up roughly 3.2% of a household’s yearly expenses.
• Monthly, that’s about $204 spent on gas per household.

Historical Trends

The following table demonstrates the typical household’s average yearly income, annual expenditures, and transportation and gasoline expenses in 2021, 2022, and 2023:

How Regional Differences Affect Monthly Gas Expenses

While the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects gas prices to stabilize for 2024 and beyond, total costs spent on fuel for each household still depends on local prices and how many miles they put on the odometer.

Average Miles Driven in Different States

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data shows how much driving habits can vary nationwide. For example, in Wyoming, the state’s 430,472 licensed drivers traveled 11,097 million miles in 2021. This averages 25,778.6 miles per driver annually or about 2,148.2 miles per month.

Compare that to Connecticut, where 2,606,396 licensed drivers traveled 28,989 million miles in the same year. The average Connecticut driver covered just 11,122.3 miles per year, or 926.9 miles a month—less than half of the drivers in Wyoming.

How Miles Driven and Regional Pricing Affect Gas Expenses

As an example of how regional gas prices affect drivers’ monthly spending, consider two drivers, one from Wyoming and another from Connecticut. They both drive a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2LT. This vehicle features a 2.7-liter engine with a combined fuel efficiency rating of 22 miles per gallon. 

As of November 2021, the average cost of gasoline was $2.415 per gallon in Wyoming and $2.539 in Connecticut. Using this information, here’s how much they spent on gasoline for that month:

In practice, this means that even if the cost of fuel at the pump is higher in Connecticut, a Wyoming resident drives more than 2.3 times the distance and must return to the gas station more often. This results in the Wyoming driver spending more than double on gas than the one from Connecticut.

Tips To Save Money on Gasoline

With the following strategies, drivers can keep more cash in their pockets while still getting where they need to go:

• Drive sensibly. Aggressive drivers who accelerate suddenly or brake hard can burn more gas than calmer drivers. According to the Fuel Economy government website, accelerating and slowing the vehicle down more gently can help improve gas mileage by up to 40%.

• Use cruise control. Manually controlling the gas pedal often leads to small speed fluctuations, causing the vehicle to speed up or slow down slightly. While it might seem minor, these fluctuations can add up, wasting fuel—especially on highways or long drives.
  
  Modern vehicles have advanced cruise control (ACC) systems to keep the vehicle at a constant speed in many conditions. A 2024 study demonstrated these systems can improve fuel savings by up to 22% in urban areas.

• Minimize idling. The Department of Energy estimates that idling a vehicle burns between 0.2 and 0.5 gallons of fuel per hour, depending on the engine type, size, and idle speed. It might not seem like much, but just 10 minutes of idling each day can add up to 1 to 2.5 gallons of wasted fuel every month.
  
  Cars with automatic stop-and-start systems or hybrids that use electric-only modes can cut down on this waste, making them a cost-saving option for drivers.

• Remove roof racks. Roof racks, baskets, or roof-mounted storage systems can be handy car features; however, they cause more aerodynamic drag. More drag means more air resistance, resulting in more fuel needed to keep the vehicle moving.
  
  A road test conducted by Car & Driver found that uninstalling the roof racks from a 2022 Kia Carnival improved its fuel efficiency by 3 MPG. Remove racks and unnecessary roof-mounted devices to help save gas.

• Keep the vehicle lightweight. The heavier a vehicle, the harder the engine has to work to move it, which burns more fuel.
  
  The EPA estimated that every extra 100 lbs. of vehicle weight can reduce fuel economy by up to 2%. A straightforward way to improve fuel efficiency is by lightening the load by removing unnecessary items, like unused third-row seats or heavy gear in the trunk.

Save More on Gasoline

Tracking monthly mileage can give vehicle owners a better overview of their fuel costs. Pairing this insight with simple fuel-saving tips is a great way to manage expenses and cut down on trips to the gas station. 

Corentin’s passion for the automotive world started when he was just seven years old, during a life-changing visit to an auto museum. Now a seasoned writer, Corentin channels that early fascination into every piece he writes, whether he’s exploring the latest car trends or automotive history. But his expertise doesn't end there—he also brings his insights to topics like home improvement, the boating and yachting industry, personal finance tips, and cutting-edge tech.

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