The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · Charlotte, NC
2026 Lexus RX 350
17.4 gal tank · 24 MPG
$62–$72
typical fill → full tank · 17.4 galAt $4.16/gal, this tank gets you about 418 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 Lexus RX 350's 24 MPG returns roughly 5.8 miles per dollar (41.7 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Charlotte driver spends about $2,082 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $3,002 in California (priciest reporting state at $6.00/gal) vs. $1,965 in Texas ($3.93/gal). $1,037 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$62–$72
typical → full · 418 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.16
EIA Lower Atlantic weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$173.46
41.7 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2082
500 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 17.4 gal × $4.16/gal = $72.44
- Miles per tank = 17.4 × 24 = 418
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 24 × $4.16 = $2082
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.