The Real Cost
Week of September 21, 2026 · Albuquerque, NM
2027 Volkswagen Jetta
13.2 gal tank · 34 MPG · manufacturer spec
$45–$52
typical fill → full tank · 13.2 galAt $3.97/gal, this tank gets you about 449 miles.
Source: EIA · Updated September 21, 2026
12-week state trend · padd proxy
+$0.63 over 12 wk
Local context
Albuquerque runs at $3.97/gal this week — about 11.3% below the U.S. average of $4.48. At this price the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta's 34 MPG returns roughly 8.6 miles per dollar (29.4 gallons per 1,000 miles).
At a typical 12,000 miles a year — the U.S. driving average — a Albuquerque driver spends about $1,402 on gas in this car (use the calculator for your own mileage). For the same car, $2,119 in California (priciest reporting state at $6.00/gal) vs. $1,387 in Texas ($3.93/gal). $732 swing.
By the numbers
Fill cost
$45–$52
typical → full · 449 mi/tank
Per gallon
$3.97
EIA Gulf Coast weekly
Monthly · 12k mi/yr
$116.82
29.4 gal
Annual · 12k mi/yr
$1402
353 gal
The math
Why it costs what it costs.
- Fill cost = 13.2 gal × $3.97/gal = $52.43
- Miles per tank = 13.2 × 34 = 449
- Annual @ 12,000 mi (typical) = 12,000 ÷ 34 × $3.97 = $1402
Want to customize miles per year or override the pump price you saw? Use the full calculator.