The Real Cost
Week of November 2, 2026 · Chicago, IL
2026 Ford Mustang
2.3L I4 RWD · 16 gal tank · 26 MPG · manufacturer spec
$64–$75
typical fill → full tank · 16 galAt $4.71/gal, this tank gets you about 416 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated November 2, 2026
12-week state trend · padd proxy
+$0.29 over 12 wk
Local context
Chicago runs at $4.71/gal this week — about 13.3% above the U.S. average of $4.15. At this price the 2026 Ford Mustang's 26 MPG returns roughly 5.5 miles per dollar (38.5 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Chicago driver spends about $2,172 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
$64–$75
typical → full · 416 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.71
EIA weekly — Chicago
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$181.00
38.5 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2172
462 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 16 gal × $4.71/gal = $75.30
- Miles per tank = 16 × 26 = 416
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 26 × $4.71 = $2172
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.