The Real Cost
Week of November 2, 2026 · Chicago, IL
2027 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0L I4 FWD · 18.6 gal tank · 25 MPG · manufacturer spec
$74–$88
typical fill → full tank · 18.6 galAt $4.71/gal, this tank gets you about 465 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 2027 Volkswagen Atlas's 25 MPG returns roughly 5.3 miles per dollar (40.0 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Chicago driver spends about $2,259 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,759 in California (priciest reporting state at $5.75/gal) vs. $1,717 in Texas ($3.58/gal). $1,042 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$74–$88
typical → full · 465 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.71
EIA weekly — Chicago
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$188.24
40.0 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2259
480 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 18.6 gal × $4.71/gal = $87.53
- Miles per tank = 18.6 × 25 = 465
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 25 × $4.71 = $2259
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.