What it costs to fuel a 2026 Ram 1500 in California
Short answer
Driving 1,000 miles a month at $5.89 a gallon for midgrade. That's 31.0¢ a mile and $3,721 a year.
EIA's weekly survey for California.
Change the version, miles or price
- Per year
- $3,721
- Per mile
- 31.0¢
- Over 5 years
- $18,606
Every 2026 1500 version in California
| Version | Drive | EPA rating | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 2WD | RWD | 22 mpg | $253 |
| 1500 2WD | RWD | 21 mpg | $265 |
| 1500 4WD | 4WD | 21 mpg | $265 |
| 1500 4WD | 4WD | 20 mpg | $278 |
| 1500 2WD(used in headline figures) | RWD | 19 mpgmidgrade | $310 |
| 1500 4WD | 4WD | 18 mpgmidgrade | $327 |
| 1500 HO 4WD | 4WD | 17 mpgpremium | $355 |
| 1500 Warlock 4WD | 4WD | 17 mpg | $327 |
| 1500 RHO 4WD | 4WD | 15 mpgpremium | $402 |
| 1500 4WD | AWD | 12 mpgpremium | $503 |
1500 vs. Ford F-150 Lightning in California
The F-150 Lightning costs about $1,849 a year less to run here.Counting California's $121 EV fee, the saving is about $1,728.
See the break-evenCalifornia's gas tax: 73.6¢ a gallon, plus 18.4¢ federal
Of the $5.89 a gallon for midgrade in California, 92¢ is tax: 16% of the price. Counties and cities can add their own on top.
At 1,000 miles a month, the 1500 (19 mpg) pays about $48 a month in fuel tax, $581 a year. California's state gas tax is the highest of the 50 states and DC.
Electric cars pay no gas tax, so California charges them an extra registration fee instead: $121 a year.
Fuel taxes: EIA, July 2026 (revised); county and city taxes not included. EV fee: California state government. Fees checked October 2026.
Midgrade gas prices in California are down 51¢ in a month
Midgrade averaged $5.89 a gallon in California in the week of November 9, 2026, 51¢ less than four weeks earlier and $1.06 more than a year ago. Over the past year it ranged from $4.33 (week of January 12, 2026) to $6.51 (week of October 5, 2026). At 1,000 miles a month, the 1500 costs about $27 a month less to fuel than four weeks ago.
Show every weekly figure
EIA weekly retail gasoline and diesel prices.
California is the most expensive state to fuel a 1500
51st cheapest of the 50 states and DC, at 1,000 miles a month. See every state
- 1Texas$207
- 2New Mexico$209
- 3Louisiana$211
- 4South Carolina$212
- 5Mississippi$212
- 49Oregon$270
- 50Washington$274
- 51California$310
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to fuel a Ram 1500 in California?
About $310 a month for 1,000 miles, or $3,721 a year, for the 2026 1500 2WD (19 mpg) at $5.89 a gallon for midgrade. That works out to 31.0¢ a mile.
Which 1500 version is cheapest to fuel?
The 1500 2WD (22 mpg), at about $253 a month in California. The 2026 1500 comes in 10 EPA-rated versions.
Where does the California gas price come from?
EIA's weekly survey for California. It updates every week when EIA publishes its survey.
How much of the gas price in California is tax?
92¢ a gallon: 73.6¢ California state tax and 18.4¢ federal tax. That is 16% of the $5.89 a gallon for midgrade. Counties and cities can add their own on top.
Are gas prices going up in California?
Midgrade averaged $5.89 a gallon in California in the week of November 9, 2026, 51¢ less than four weeks earlier and $1.06 more than a year ago. Source: EIA's weekly retail price survey.
Efficiency: U.S. EPA ratings for the 2026 model year. Gas prices: EIA weekly survey, week of November 9, 2026. Electricity: EIA average home rates, September 2025 to August 2026. Fuel taxes: EIA, July 2026 (revised). How we calculate