Estimate distance to empty from fuel remaining and MPG, or find trip fuel needed, total cost, cost per mile, and gauge-based range.

Estimate range from fuel remaining and fuel economy.

Range is an estimate, not a guarantee. Gauge fractions and vehicle presets are illustrative; refuel promptly when the low-fuel warning appears.

Distance to Empty (DTE) Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the distance to empty of a vehicle.

DTE = G × MPG
  • Where DTE is the estimated distance to empty in miles
  • G is the number of gallons remaining in the tank, using the same gallon definition as MPG
  • MPG is the average miles per gallon the vehicle achieves

To calculate the distance to empty, multiply the gallons of fuel remaining in the tank by the average miles per gallon.

US Gallons to Miles (DTE) Conversion Table at 25 MPG (US)
Gallons (US) DTE (Miles)
0.512.5
125.0
1.537.5
250.0
2.562.5
375.0
4100.0
5125.0
6150.0
7.5187.5
8200.0
9225.0
10250.0
12300.0
14350.0
15375.0
16400.0
18450.0
20500.0
25625.0
Assumes average fuel economy of 25 MPG (US). Formula: DTE (miles) = Gallons (US) × MPG (US).

What is DTE?

Definition:

DTE, short for distance to empty, is an estimate of the distance a vehicle may travel with its remaining fuel. Actual range varies with driving conditions; it is not a guarantee or a reason to delay refueling after a low-fuel warning.

How to calculate distance to empty (DTE)?

Example:

The following example problem outlines how to calculate the distance to empty of a vehicle.

First, determine the total number of gallons of fuel remaining in the tank. In this example, a truck has 23 gallons remaining in the tank.

Next, determine the average miles per gallon the vehicle gets. Reading the dashboard on this truck tells us it has averaged 20 miles per gallon.

Finally, calculate the distance to empty using the formula above:

DTE = G * MPG

DTE = 23 * 20

DTE = 460 miles