The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · Wichita, KS
2026 Ford Escape
14.4 gal tank · 28 MPG · manufacturer spec
$54–$63
typical fill → full tank · 14.4 galAt $4.39/gal, this tank gets you about 403 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated September 21, 2026
12-week state trend · padd proxy
+$0.85 over 12 wk
Local context
Wichita runs at $4.39/gal this week — about 2.1% below the U.S. average of $4.48. At this price the 2026 Ford Escape's 28 MPG returns roughly 6.4 miles per dollar (35.7 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Wichita driver spends about $1,880 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,573 in California (priciest reporting state at $6.00/gal) vs. $1,684 in Texas ($3.93/gal). $889 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$54–$63
typical → full · 403 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.39
EIA Midwest weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$156.64
35.7 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$1880
429 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 14.4 gal × $4.39/gal = $63.16
- Miles per tank = 14.4 × 28 = 403
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 28 × $4.39 = $1880
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.