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Fuel guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
What Is a Good MPG?
A good MPG depends on what you drive: a pickup and a small SUV are measured against different yardsticks. Here are the average fuel economy figures for new vehicles by type from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's latest Automotive Trends Report, how to calculate your own MPG, and how to compare vehicles using the window sticker.
27.2 mpgaverage new model year 2024 vehicle, a record high
20.5 mpgaverage new pickup, model year 2024
25.7 mpgaverage new truck SUV, model year 2024
41%gain in average new-vehicle fuel economy since model year 2004
The short answer
A good MPG is one that beats the average for its type of vehicle. The EPA reports that the average new model year 2024 vehicle reached a record 27.2 mpg in estimated real-world fuel economy. By type, averages were 20.5 mpg for pickups, 25.7 mpg for truck SUVs, 26.1 mpg for minivans and vans, 33.5 mpg for sedans and wagons, and 39.2 mpg for car SUVs (30.2 mpg without electric and plug-in hybrid models). To check your own MPG, divide the miles you drove by the gallons it took to refill the tank.
Average MPG by vehicle type
Estimated real-world fuel economy of new model year 2024 vehicles, from the EPA Automotive Trends Report. The EPA includes battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (in MPGe) in its averages; the last column leaves them out:
| Vehicle type | Average, all new vehicles of this type | Average without electric and plug-in hybrid models |
|---|---|---|
| Car SUV | 39.2 mpg | 30.2 mpg |
| Sedan / wagon | 33.5 mpg | 31.7 mpg |
| Minivan / van | 26.1 mpg | 25.5 mpg |
| Truck SUV | 25.7 mpg | 24.7 mpg |
| Pickup | 20.5 mpg | 20.3 mpg |
| All new vehicles | 27.2 mpg | 25.6 mpg |
From The 2025 EPA Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001), Figures 2.1 and 3.3, read November 8, 2026. Real-world values weight city and highway driving 43% and 57% and are based on 5-cycle testing.
How average MPG has changed
A record high. The average new model year 2024 vehicle increased fuel economy by 0.1 mpg to a record 27.2 mpg, and average new-vehicle fuel economy has improved in 16 of the last 20 years, up 41% compared with model year 2004, according to the EPA.
Trucks and vans gained. Truck SUVs increased 1.0 mpg to a new high of 25.7 mpg. Minivans and vans rose to 26.1 mpg, and pickups held at 20.5 mpg; both are at all-time highs. Four of the five vehicle types now achieve more than double the fuel economy they achieved in 1975.
Electric models move the averages. In model year 2024, 30% of car SUVs were battery electric and another 3% were plug-in hybrids, which raised car SUV fuel economy by 9.0 mpg. That is why the car SUV average is so much higher with them included.
From the EPA Automotive Trends Report and its Highlights page, read November 8, 2026.
How to calculate your MPG
Fueleconomy.gov gives this odometer method:
- Fill the tank completely and write down the odometer reading (or reset the trip odometer).
- At your next fill-up, fill the tank completely and write down how many gallons it took and the new odometer reading.
- Subtract the earlier odometer reading from the new one to get the miles driven (or read the trip odometer).
- Divide the miles driven by the gallons it took to refill the tank. The result is your MPG for that stretch of driving.
Example from fueleconomy.gov: an odometer reading of 32,645.1 miles, then 33,001.3 miles and 13.5 gallons at the next fill-up, is 356.2 miles divided by 13.5 gallons, or 26.4 mpg. From fueleconomy.gov's How to Calculate Your MPG page, read November 8, 2026.
Comparing vehicles on the window sticker
Check the category range. The Fuel Economy and Environment label names the vehicle's category (for example, Small SUV or Pickup Truck) and the best and worst fuel economy in that category for the model year, plus the best combined fuel economy among all new vehicles.
Use the 1 to 10 rating. The label rates each vehicle from 1 (worst) to 10 (best) for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Combined MPG. The label's combined value weights city driving 55% and highway driving 45%.
From fueleconomy.gov's Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label page and the EPA Automotive Trends Report, read November 8, 2026.
Why your MPG can vary
Fueleconomy.gov says EPA estimates come from standardized tests meant to reflect typical driving, so they are a useful tool for comparing vehicles but may not predict the average MPG you will get. Factors that can affect MPG significantly include how and where you drive, vehicle condition and maintenance, fuel variations, vehicle variations and engine break-in. Our guide to getting better gas mileage covers what you can change.
From fueleconomy.gov's Your Mileage Will Vary page, read November 8, 2026.
Maintenance and service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Keeping up with maintenance is one of the factors fueleconomy.gov lists as affecting MPG.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 8, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Good MPG FAQ
What is a good MPG?
It depends on the type of vehicle. In the EPA's latest Automotive Trends Report, the average new model year 2024 vehicle reached a record 27.2 mpg in estimated real-world fuel economy. Averages ranged from 20.5 mpg for pickups to 39.2 mpg for car SUVs, so compare a vehicle with others of its type.
What is a good MPG for a truck?
The EPA reports that new model year 2024 pickups averaged 20.5 mpg in estimated real-world fuel economy, an all-time high for pickups. A pickup above that average is doing better than the typical new pickup.
What is a good MPG for an SUV?
The EPA splits SUVs into car SUVs and truck SUVs. New model year 2024 truck SUVs averaged 25.7 mpg, a new high. Car SUVs averaged 39.2 mpg including electric and plug-in hybrid models, or 30.2 mpg without them.
How do I calculate my MPG?
Fill the tank, note the odometer, drive, then fill the tank again. Divide the miles driven by the gallons it took to refill. Fueleconomy.gov's example: 356.2 miles divided by 13.5 gallons equals 26.4 mpg.
Why is my MPG lower than the EPA rating?
Fueleconomy.gov says EPA ratings are based on standardized tests and are useful for comparing vehicles, but may not predict the MPG you will get. How and where you drive, vehicle condition and maintenance, fuel variations, vehicle variations and engine break-in all affect MPG.
Where can I find a new vehicle's MPG rating?
On the Fuel Economy and Environment label (window sticker). It shows city, highway and combined MPG, the best and worst fuel economy in the vehicle's category for that model year, and a 1 to 10 fuel economy and greenhouse gas rating.
Do electric vehicles count in the average?
Yes. The EPA includes battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in its fleetwide averages, measured in miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe). Without them, the model year 2024 average was 25.6 mpg instead of 27.2 mpg.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Want to compare Ford fuel economy?
See our F-150, Explorer and Expedition MPG guides, or schedule service with the Michigan City Ford team.
Sources
Average fuel economy figures are from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2025 Automotive Trends Report (final model year 2024 data), read November 8, 2026. The MPG calculation method, label details and the factors that affect MPG are from fueleconomy.gov, administered for the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, read the same day. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website. Photo is illustrative.
- EPA, The 2025 EPA Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read November 8, 2026
- EPA, Highlights of the Automotive Trends Report, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read November 8, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, How to Calculate Your MPG, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 8, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, Your Mileage Will Vary, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 8, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 8, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 8, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 8, 2026