The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · Denver, CO
2027 Ford Explorer
20.2 gal tank · 23 MPG
$73–$86
typical fill → full tank · 20.2 galAt $4.26/gal, this tank gets you about 465 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated September 21, 2026
12-week state trend
+$0.74 over 12 wk
Local context
Denver runs at $4.26/gal this week — about 4.9% below the U.S. average of $4.48. At this price the 2027 Ford Explorer's 23 MPG returns roughly 5.4 miles per dollar (43.5 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Denver driver spends about $2,221 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $3,132 in California (priciest reporting state at $6.00/gal) vs. $2,050 in Texas ($3.93/gal). $1,082 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$73–$86
typical → full · 465 mi/tank
Per gallon
$4.26
EIA CO state weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$185.09
43.5 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$2221
522 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 20.2 gal × $4.26/gal = $85.99
- Miles per tank = 20.2 × 23 = 465
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 23 × $4.26 = $2221
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.