The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · San Diego, CA
2026 Hyundai Elantra
12.4 gal tank · 31 MPG
$63–$74
typical fill → full tank · 12.4 galAt $6.00/gal, this tank gets you about 384 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated September 21, 2026
12-week state trend
+$0.83 over 12 wk
Local context
San Diego runs at $6.00/gal this week — about 34.1% above the U.S. average of $4.48. At this price the 2026 Hyundai Elantra's 31 MPG returns roughly 5.2 miles per dollar (32.3 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a San Diego driver spends about $2,324 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
$63–$74
typical → full · 384 mi/tank
Per gallon
$6.00
EIA CA state weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$193.65
32.3 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2324
387 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 12.4 gal × $6.00/gal = $74.44
- Miles per tank = 12.4 × 31 = 384
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 31 × $6.00 = $2324
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.