The Real Cost
Week of November 2, 2026 · Chicago, IL
2027 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5L I4 FWD · 13.2 gal tank · 34 MPG · manufacturer spec
$53–$62
typical fill → full tank · 13.2 galAt $4.71/gal, this tank gets you about 449 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 Jetta's 34 MPG returns roughly 7.2 miles per dollar (29.4 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Chicago driver spends about $1,661 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,029 in California (priciest reporting state at $5.75/gal) vs. $1,263 in Texas ($3.58/gal). $766 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$53–$62
typical → full · 449 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.71
EIA weekly — Chicago
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$138.41
29.4 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$1661
353 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 13.2 gal × $4.71/gal = $62.12
- Miles per tank = 13.2 × 34 = 449
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 34 × $4.71 = $1661
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.