The Real Cost
Week of November 2, 2026 · Los Angeles, CA
2027 Volkswagen Taos
1.5L I4 FWD · 14.5 gal tank · 30 MPG · manufacturer spec
$71–$83
typical fill → full tank · 14.5 galAt $5.74/gal, this tank gets you about 435 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated November 2, 2026
12-week state trend
+$0.32 over 12 wk
Local context
Los Angeles runs at $5.74/gal this week — about 38.3% above the U.S. average of $4.15. At this price the 2027 Volkswagen Taos's 30 MPG returns roughly 5.2 miles per dollar (33.3 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Los Angeles driver spends about $2,297 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,299 in California (priciest reporting state at $5.75/gal) vs. $1,431 in Texas ($3.58/gal). $868 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$71–$83
typical → full · 435 mi/tank
Per gallon
$5.74
EIA weekly — Los Angeles
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$191.40
33.3 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2297
400 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 14.5 gal × $5.74/gal = $83.26
- Miles per tank = 14.5 × 30 = 435
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 30 × $5.74 = $2297
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.