- Driving in California costs an estimated $1,911 per year in fuel, ranking #19 among all states.
- The average driver in California travels 8,244 miles per year, 3,083 miles below the national average.
- Regular gasoline averages $5.495/gal, with a combined state and federal gas tax of 78.0 cents/gal.
- An EV driver in California would pay roughly $799/year for electricity, saving about 58% compared to gasoline.
01 Quick Facts
| Metric | Value | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost (23.7 MPG on-road fleet avg) | $1,911 | $1,949 |
| Regular gas price | $5.495/gal | $4.079/gal |
| Combined gas tax (state + federal) | 78.0¢/gal | n/a |
| Miles driven per capita | 8,244 | 11,327 |
| Electricity rate (residential) | 32.0¢/kWh | 16.5¢/kWh |
| Driving cost rank | #19 of 51 | n/a |
02 Gas Prices
Regular gasoline in California averages $5.495 per gallon, which is $1.42 above the national average of $4.079. California ranks #1 among states for gas prices (1 = most expensive).
U.S. Energy Information Administration, Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices, August 202603 Gas Taxes
California charges a state gasoline excise tax of 59.6 cents per gallon. Combined with the federal excise tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, drivers in California pay a total of 78.0 cents per gallon in fuel taxes. This ranks #1 among all states (1 = highest tax).
FHWA, Highway Statistics 2024, Table MF-121T: State Motor-Fuel Tax RatesAt 8,244 miles per year and 23.7 MPG (on-road fleet average), the average driver in California pays roughly $271 in combined gas taxes annually.
| Tax Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State gasoline tax | 59.6¢/gal |
| Federal gasoline tax | 18.4¢/gal |
| Combined total | 78.0¢/gal |
| Annual tax burden (at 8,244 mi, 23.7 MPG) | $271 |
04 Miles Driven
The average driver in California travels 8,244 miles per year, ranking #43 among all states (1 = most miles). This is 3,083 miles below the national average of 11,327.
FHWA, Table PS-1: Selected Measures for Identifying Peer States, 2024California has a total of 326.0 billion vehicle-miles traveled annually across all road types, with a population of 39,538,223 (94% urban).
FHWA PS-1, 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census05 Annual Fuel Cost
Based on California's average gas price and miles driven, here is the estimated annual fuel cost by vehicle type:
| Vehicle Type | MPG | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Compact sedan | 28.2 | $1,606 |
| Midsize SUV | 19.6 | $2,311 |
| Pickup truck | 18.3 | $2,476 |
Estimate your vehicle's fuel cost using EPA data.
Use the Calculator06 Commuting
The average commute in California takes 29.2 minutes one way. About 67.1% of workers drive alone to work, while 3.1% use public transit and 14.6% work from home.
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-Year Estimates, Table S0801: Commuting Characteristics by Sex, 2023| Commute Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Mean travel time to work | 29.2 min |
| Drove alone to work | 67.1% |
| Public transit | 3.1% |
| Worked from home | 14.6% |
07 EV Comparison
The average residential electricity rate in California is 32.0 cents per kWh, which ranks #2 among states (1 = most expensive). At an average EV efficiency of 3.3 miles per kWh, driving on electricity in California costs roughly $0.097 per mile compared to $0.232 per mile for gasoline.
EIA Form 861, Table 5A: Average Monthly Bill, Residential, 2024; EPA average EV efficiency ~3.3 mi/kWh| Metric | Gasoline | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.232 | $0.097 |
| Annual fuel/energy cost (8,244 mi) | $1,911 | $799 |
| Annual savings with EV | $1,112 (58%) | |
08 Neighboring States
Here is how California's driving costs compare to neighboring states:
| State | Gas Price | VMT/Capita | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $5.495 | 8,244 | $1,911 |
| Oregon | $5.130 | 8,826 | $1,910 |
| Nevada | $5.130 | 9,158 | $1,982 |
| Arizona | $5.130 | 9,851 | $2,132 |
09 Toll Roads
California has toll facilities (bridges, roads, tunnels, or ferries) in operation, according to the Federal Highway Administration's July 2023 report on toll facilities in the United States, one of 39 states with at least one toll facility.
Federal Highway Administration, Toll Facilities in the United States, July 2023, Table T-1.10 Data Sources
- Federal Highway Administration: Table PS-1, Selected Measures for Identifying Peer States, 2024. fhwa.dot.gov
- Federal Highway Administration: Highway Statistics 2024, Table MF-121T: State Motor-Fuel Tax Rates. fhwa.dot.gov
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices by State/Region, August 2026. eia.gov
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Form EIA-861, Table 5A: Average Monthly Bill, Residential, 2024. eia.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 1-Year Estimates, Table S0801: Commuting Characteristics by Sex, 2023. data.census.gov
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / Department of Energy: Fuel Economy Guide database, model years 2024–2025 (vehicle-type MPG); The 2025 Automotive Trends Report, EPA-420-R-26-001 (fleet trends). epa.gov
- DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Transportation Energy Data Book, Edition 40, Table 4.3: on-road fuel economy of the light-duty vehicle fleet, 23.7 MPG (2020, the most recent year published). tedb.ornl.gov
- Federal Highway Administration: Toll Facilities in the United States, July 2023, Table T-1. fhwa.dot.gov