The Real Cost
Week of November 2, 2026 · Houston, TX
2024 Kia Forte
1.6L I4 FWD · 14 gal tank · 26 MPG · manufacturer spec
$43–$51
typical fill → full tank · 14 galAt $3.63/gal, this tank gets you about 364 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated November 2, 2026
12-week state trend
+$0.06 over 12 wk
Local context
Houston runs at $3.63/gal this week — about 12.7% below the U.S. average of $4.15. At this price the 2024 Kia Forte's 26 MPG returns roughly 7.2 miles per dollar (38.5 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Houston driver spends about $1,673 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,653 in California (priciest reporting state at $5.75/gal) vs. $1,651 in Texas ($3.58/gal). $1,002 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$43–$51
typical → full · 364 mi/tank
Per gallon
$3.63
EIA weekly — Houston
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$139.42
38.5 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$1673
462 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 14 gal × $3.63/gal = $50.75
- Miles per tank = 14 × 26 = 364
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 26 × $3.63 = $1673
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.