Transportation is the second-largest cost category for the average US family. Gasoline accounts for 16% of transportation costs; the average monthly gas expenditure is between $150 and $200. Read to know more about the average gas spend per month.
Relevant stats
- The average driver in the U.S. spends almost 2.57% of their monthly income on gas.
- The South has six of the ten states that spend the most of their monthly income on gas. People in Alabama and Mississippi pay the most, but people in Wyoming are not far behind.
- Washington, D.C., New York, and Alaska are the states where drivers put the least amount of their monthly income into gas. Washington, D.C. drivers only spend 1% of their income on gas.
States with the highest spending on gas
| State | % of monthly income drivers spend on gas |
| Alabama | 6.40% |
| Mississippi | 5.66% |
| Wyoming | 5.48% |
| North Carolina | 5.14% |
| Arkansas | 5.12% |
| New Mexico | 5.05% |
| Florida | 5.01% |
| South Carolina | 4.82% |
| Delaware | 4.81% |
| Indiana | 4.67% |
Source: FinanceBuzz
Overall, the average driver in the U.S. spends almost 3% of their monthly income on gas. Washington, D.C., and New York are the only places where drivers spend less than 2% of their monthly income at the gas station.
Washington, D.C. drivers only spend 1% of their income on gas. Drivers in Alabama spend six times as much of their monthly income on gas as drivers in Washington, D.C.
On average, people who drive in Washington, D.C., and New York drive some of the fewest miles per month. In D.C., people travel an average of 335 miles per month, while in New York, they travel 400 miles.
Source: Pexels
Type of vehicle and average gas spend
| Vehicle | Monthly gas cost at a 5-year average price |
| Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car | $76 |
| Subcompact Car | $109 |
| Compact Car | $123 |
| Midsize Car | $129 |
| Luxury Subcompact SUV/Crossover | $142 |
| Minivan | $142 |
| Subcompact SUV/Crossover | $143 |
| Subcompact SUV/Crossover | $144 |
| Entry-Level Luxury Car | $147 |
| Van | $152 |
| Sporty Compact Car | $155 |
| Luxury Car | $160 |
| Sports Car | $164 |
| Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover | $164 |
| Full-Size Car | $169 |
| Luxury Sports Car | $171 |
| Midsize SUV/Crossover | $176 |
| High-End Luxury Car | $181 |
| Luxury Midsize SUV/Crossover | $184 |
| Midsize Pickup Truck | $191 |
| Luxury High-Performance Car | $194 |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck | $206 |
| High-Performance Car | $225 |
| Full-Size SUV/Crossover | $227 |
| Luxury Full-Size SUV/Crossover | $228 |
| National Average | $164 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book
A full-size SUV costs about $110 more to run each month for the person who drives it. Now, it costs around $100 more per month to drive a full-size pickup than it did a year ago.
The monthly payments for subcompact and compact cars are $54 and $60 more than they were a year ago. This affects people who drive hybrid cars, whose gas costs could go up by almost $40 a month.
How to save money on gas spending
But here are some ways for drivers to save money, whether they get a gas rebate or a stimulus check:
- Save money on car insurance. Research and decide on the cheapest car insurance to save money. If you look at the best car insurance companies, you might be able to find a good deal.
- Use credit cards. Many credit cards give you valuable rewards when you buy things, even gas. When you use the best credit cards for gas, you can give yourself a reward every time you fill up.
- Use helpful apps. Apps like Way.com can help you save money on gas and other things. Check out these apps to help you save money on your budget.
Sara Sam may not look like your typical car and finance expert, but don’t let that fool you. With over four years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins and outs of cars, car insurance, and refinancing. You can trust Sara to help you navigate the often-confusing world of automobiles and financing.
