The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · Charlotte, NC
2026 Hyundai Elantra
12.4 gal tank · 31 MPG · manufacturer spec
$44–$52
typical fill → full tank · 12.4 galAt $4.16/gal, this tank gets you about 384 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated September 21, 2026
12-week state trend · padd proxy
+$0.60 over 12 wk
Local context
Charlotte runs at $4.16/gal this week — about 7.0% below the U.S. average of $4.48. At this price the 2026 Hyundai Elantra's 31 MPG returns roughly 7.4 miles per dollar (32.3 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Charlotte driver spends about $1,611 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,324 in California (priciest reporting state at $6.00/gal) vs. $1,521 in Texas ($3.93/gal). $803 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$44–$52
typical → full · 384 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.16
EIA Lower Atlantic weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$134.29
32.3 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$1611
387 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 12.4 gal × $4.16/gal = $51.62
- Miles per tank = 12.4 × 31 = 384
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 31 × $4.16 = $1611
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.