The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · New Orleans, LA
2023 Dodge Challenger
18.5 gal tank · 21 MPG
$62–$73
typical fill → full tank · 18.5 galAt $3.97/gal, this tank gets you about 389 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated September 21, 2026
12-week state trend · padd proxy
+$0.63 over 12 wk
Local context
New Orleans runs at $3.97/gal this week — about 11.3% below the U.S. average of $4.48. At this price the 2023 Dodge Challenger's 21 MPG returns roughly 5.3 miles per dollar (47.6 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a New Orleans driver spends about $2,270 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $3,430 in California (priciest reporting state at $6.00/gal) vs. $2,245 in Texas ($3.93/gal). $1,185 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$62–$73
typical → full · 389 mi/tank
Per gallon
$3.97
EIA Gulf Coast weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$189.14
47.6 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2270
571 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 18.5 gal × $3.97/gal = $73.48
- Miles per tank = 18.5 × 21 = 389
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 21 × $3.97 = $2270
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.