I track all expenses related to my car(s) and here’s the latest fuel log from when I purchased it in 2008. It’s instantly clear that the mileage suffered when I started doing more city driving the last six months than when all I did was longer commutes.
It’s also interesting to note the total miles driven per month. There were some months I drove well over 1,000 miles, with a smattering of about 2,000 miles in a month here or there. Then there are some months where I logged a few hundred miles on the car, which is likely summers when I rode the motorcycles as much as the weather allowed, or the other cars.
How would you save money on driving you have to do? Combine trips. The engine is already hot from driving home from work, so making a grocery run – grocery list handy, no empty stomach to tempt you to buy snacks – returning an item at Home Depot and any other errands on the way saves you some gas.
The most inefficient way would be several short trips for several small items. Your engine doesn’t always fully warm up and you get condensate and sludge build-up in the oil. Your engine won’t be this clean inside if you do that.
| Fuel Log Summary by Month 1996 Volvo 965 Date Range: All Dates (thru Last Entry) |
File: 96VOLVO.db Printed 08/05/2012 @ 6:15pm |
Note: Unlike other Fuel reports, this report includes ALL Fuel expense entries falling within the reporting period dates.
| April 2008 | MPG: | 19.307 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.44 | |
| Starting odometer: | 142732 | Ending odometer: | 144,722 | Miles traveled: | 1,990 |
| Total cost: | $354.99 | Total Gallons: | 103.072 | Purchases: | 7 |
| May 2008 | MPG: | 25.266 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.63 | |
| Starting odometer: | 144,722 | Ending odometer: | 146,551 | Miles traveled: | 1,829 |
| Total cost: | $190.37 | Total Gallons: | 72.389 | Purchases: | 4 |
| June 2008 | MPG: | 25.63 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.77 | |
| Starting odometer: | 146,551 | Ending odometer: | 147,017 | Miles traveled: | 466 |
| Total cost: | $68.53 | Total Gallons: | 18.182 | Purchases: | 1 |
| July 2008 | MPG: | 24.632 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.82 | |
| Starting odometer: | 147,017 | Ending odometer: | 147,846 | Miles traveled: | 829 |
| Total cost: | $128.66 | Total Gallons: | 33.655 | Purchases: | 2 |
| August 2008 | MPG: | 30.407 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.73 | |
| Starting odometer: | 147,846 | Ending odometer: | 149,257 | Miles traveled: | 1,411 |
| Total cost: | $173.19 | Total Gallons: | 46.404 | Purchases: | 3 |
| September 2008 | MPG: | 26.035 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.62 | |
| Starting odometer: | 149,257 | Ending odometer: | 149,677 | Miles traveled: | 420 |
| Total cost: | $58.38 | Total Gallons: | 16.132 | Purchases: | 1 |
| October 2008 | MPG: | 25.286 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.82 | |
| Starting odometer: | 149,677 | Ending odometer: | 151,028 | Miles traveled: | 1,351 |
| Total cost: | $150.82 | Total Gallons: | 53.429 | Purchases: | 3 |
| November 2008 | MPG: | 24.762 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $1.95 | |
| Starting odometer: | 151,028 | Ending odometer: | 153,218 | Miles traveled: | 2,190 |
| Total cost: | $172.25 | Total Gallons: | 88.443 | Purchases: | 5 |
| December 2008 | MPG: | 24.183 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $1.55 | |
| Starting odometer: | 153,218 | Ending odometer: | 154,724 | Miles traveled: | 1,506 |
| Total cost: | $96.38 | Total Gallons: | 62.276 | Purchases: | 4 |
| January 2009 | MPG: | 22.511 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $1.67 | |
| Starting odometer: | 154,724 | Ending odometer: | 157,964 | Miles traveled: | 3,240 |
| Total cost: | $240.14 | Total Gallons: | 143.931 | Purchases: | 9 |
| February 2009 | MPG: | 24.563 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $1.60 | |
| Starting odometer: | 157,964 | Ending odometer: | 159,259 | Miles traveled: | 1,295 |
| Total cost: | $84.14 | Total Gallons: | 52.721 | Purchases: | 3 |
| March 2009 | MPG: | 24.931 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $1.67 | |
| Starting odometer: | 159,259 | Ending odometer: | 160,821 | Miles traveled: | 1,562 |
| Total cost: | $104.41 | Total Gallons: | 62.652 | Purchases: | 4 |
| April 2009 | MPG: | 25.264 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $1.76 | |
| Starting odometer: | 160,821 | Ending odometer: | 162,140 | Miles traveled: | 1,319 |
| Total cost: | $91.84 | Total Gallons: | 52.208 | Purchases: | 3 |
| May 2009 | MPG: | 25.321 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.27 | |
| Starting odometer: | 162,140 | Ending odometer: | 162,597 | Miles traveled: | 457 |
| Total cost: | $40.95 | Total Gallons: | 18.048 | Purchases: | 2 |
| June 2009 | MPG: | 25.26 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.41 | |
| Starting odometer: | 162,597 | Ending odometer: | 163,473 | Miles traveled: | 876 |
| Total cost: | $83.72 | Total Gallons: | 34.68 | Purchases: | 2 |
| July 2009 | MPG: | 24.915 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.33 | |
| Starting odometer: | 163,473 | Ending odometer: | 164,893 | Miles traveled: | 1,420 |
| Total cost: | $132.74 | Total Gallons: | 56.994 | Purchases: | 3 |
| August 2009 | MPG: | 24.209 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.33 | |
| Starting odometer: | 164,893 | Ending odometer: | 165,989 | Miles traveled: | 1,096 |
| Total cost: | $105.42 | Total Gallons: | 45.272 | Purchases: | 3 |
| September 2009 | MPG: | 26.2 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.35 | |
| Starting odometer: | 165,989 | Ending odometer: | 167,104 | Miles traveled: | 1,115 |
| Total cost: | $99.80 | Total Gallons: | 42.557 | Purchases: | 3 |
| October 2009 | MPG: | 25.457 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.25 | |
| Starting odometer: | 167,104 | Ending odometer: | 168,900 | Miles traveled: | 1,796 |
| Total cost: | $158.85 | Total Gallons: | 70.551 | Purchases: | 4 |
| November 2009 | MPG: | 24.069 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.40 | |
| Starting odometer: | 168,900 | Ending odometer: | 170,545 | Miles traveled: | 1,645 |
| Total cost: | $164.31 | Total Gallons: | 68.344 | Purchases: | 4 |
| December 2009 | MPG: | 22.679 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.26 | |
| Starting odometer: | 170,545 | Ending odometer: | 172,270 | Miles traveled: | 1,725 |
| Total cost: | $171.90 | Total Gallons: | 76.062 | Purchases: | 5 |
| January 2010 | MPG: | 22.835 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.38 | |
| Starting odometer: | 172,270 | Ending odometer: | 173,014 | Miles traveled: | 744 |
| Total cost: | $77.47 | Total Gallons: | 32.581 | Purchases: | 2 |
| February 2010 | MPG: | 23.636 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.37 | |
| Starting odometer: | 173,014 | Ending odometer: | 174,552 | Miles traveled: | 1,538 |
| Total cost: | $154.28 | Total Gallons: | 65.069 | Purchases: | 4 |
| March 2010 | MPG: | 24.842 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.46 | |
| Starting odometer: | 174,552 | Ending odometer: | 175,986 | Miles traveled: | 1,434 |
| Total cost: | $141.79 | Total Gallons: | 57.725 | Purchases: | 3 |
| April 2010 | MPG: | 23.321 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.59 | |
| Starting odometer: | 175,986 | Ending odometer: | 177,236 | Miles traveled: | 1,250 |
| Total cost: | $138.92 | Total Gallons: | 53.599 | Purchases: | 3 |
| May 2010 | MPG: | 24.029 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.60 | |
| Starting odometer: | 177,236 | Ending odometer: | 178,040 | Miles traveled: | 804 |
| Total cost: | $87.14 | Total Gallons: | 33.46 | Purchases: | 2 |
| June 2010 | MPG: | 21.762 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.40 | |
| Starting odometer: | 178,040 | Ending odometer: | 178,312 | Miles traveled: | 272 |
| Total cost: | $29.99 | Total Gallons: | 12.499 | Purchases: | 1 |
| July 2010 | MPG: | 22.574 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.50 | |
| Starting odometer: | 178,312 | Ending odometer: | 179,339 | Miles traveled: | 1,027 |
| Total cost: | $113.89 | Total Gallons: | 45.495 | Purchases: | 3 |
| August 2010 | MPG: | 24.911 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.82 | |
| Starting odometer: | 179,339 | Ending odometer: | 180,549 | Miles traveled: | 1,210 |
| Total cost: | $137.06 | Total Gallons: | 48.572 | Purchases: | 3 |
| September 2010 | MPG: | 22.855 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.81 | |
| Starting odometer: | 180,549 | Ending odometer: | 181,874 | Miles traveled: | 1,325 |
| Total cost: | $162.65 | Total Gallons: | 57.974 | Purchases: | 4 |
| October 2010 | MPG: | 23.827 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.76 | |
| Starting odometer: | 181,874 | Ending odometer: | 183,080 | Miles traveled: | 1,206 |
| Total cost: | $139.85 | Total Gallons: | 50.615 | Purchases: | 3 |
| November 2010 | MPG: | 23.782 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.70 | |
| Starting odometer: | 183,080 | Ending odometer: | 184,330 | Miles traveled: | 1,250 |
| Total cost: | $142.02 | Total Gallons: | 52.561 | Purchases: | 3 |
| December 2010 | MPG: | 24.752 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $2.88 | |
| Starting odometer: | 184,330 | Ending odometer: | 186,327 | Miles traveled: | 1,997 |
| Total cost: | $231.96 | Total Gallons: | 80.679 | Purchases: | 5 |
| January 2011 | MPG: | 24.571 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.01 | |
| Starting odometer: | 186,327 | Ending odometer: | 188,107 | Miles traveled: | 1,780 |
| Total cost: | $217.99 | Total Gallons: | 72.443 | Purchases: | 4 |
| February 2011 | MPG: | 24.015 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.22 | |
| Starting odometer: | 188,107 | Ending odometer: | 189,423 | Miles traveled: | 1,316 |
| Total cost: | $176.52 | Total Gallons: | 54.8 | Purchases: | 3 |
| March 2011 | MPG: | 25.127 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.54 | |
| Starting odometer: | 189,423 | Ending odometer: | 189,820 | Miles traveled: | 397 |
| Total cost: | $56.00 | Total Gallons: | 15.8 | Purchases: | 1 |
| April 2011 | MPG: | 25.191 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.84 | |
| Starting odometer: | 189,820 | Ending odometer: | 191,664 | Miles traveled: | 1,844 |
| Total cost: | $281.25 | Total Gallons: | 73.2 | Purchases: | 4 |
| May 2011 | MPG: | 25.998 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.95 | |
| Starting odometer: | 191,664 | Ending odometer: | 193,023 | Miles traveled: | 1,359 |
| Total cost: | $206.71 | Total Gallons: | 52.274 | Purchases: | 4 |
| June 2011 | MPG: | 25.707 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.82 | |
| Starting odometer: | 193,023 | Ending odometer: | 195,255 | Miles traveled: | 2,232 |
| Total cost: | $331.87 | Total Gallons: | 86.824 | Purchases: | 5 |
| July 2011 | MPG: | 22.396 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.58 | |
| Starting odometer: | 195,255 | Ending odometer: | 196,064 | Miles traveled: | 809 |
| Total cost: | $129.47 | Total Gallons: | 36.122 | Purchases: | 2 |
| August 2011 | MPG: | 23.006 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.51 | |
| Starting odometer: | 196,064 | Ending odometer: | 196,862 | Miles traveled: | 798 |
| Total cost: | $121.75 | Total Gallons: | 34.686 | Purchases: | 2 |
| September 2011 | MPG: | 24.846 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.62 | |
| Starting odometer: | 196,862 | Ending odometer: | 199,344 | Miles traveled: | 2,482 |
| Total cost: | $362.11 | Total Gallons: | 99.897 | Purchases: | 6 |
| October 2011 | MPG: | 23.778 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.58 | |
| Starting odometer: | 199,344 | Ending odometer: | 200,633 | Miles traveled: | 1,289 |
| Total cost: | $193.81 | Total Gallons: | 54.21 | Purchases: | 3 |
| November 2011 | MPG: | 22.755 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.49 | |
| Starting odometer: | 200,633 | Ending odometer: | 201,857 | Miles traveled: | 1,224 |
| Total cost: | $187.47 | Total Gallons: | 53.79 | Purchases: | 3 |
| December 2011 | MPG: | 21.099 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.15 | |
| Starting odometer: | 201,857 | Ending odometer: | 202,263 | Miles traveled: | 406 |
| Total cost: | $60.60 | Total Gallons: | 19.243 | Purchases: | 1 |
| January 2012 | MPG: | 22.413 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.25 | |
| Starting odometer: | 202,263 | Ending odometer: | 203,601 | Miles traveled: | 1,338 |
| Total cost: | $194.19 | Total Gallons: | 59.697 | Purchases: | 4 |
| February 2012 | MPG: | 22.736 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.67 | |
| Starting odometer: | 203,601 | Ending odometer: | 204,052 | Miles traveled: | 451 |
| Total cost: | $72.78 | Total Gallons: | 19.836 | Purchases: | 1 |
| March 2012 | MPG: | 16.777 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $4.00 | |
| Starting odometer: | 204,052 | Ending odometer: | 204,281 | Miles traveled: | 229 |
| Total cost: | $54.59 | Total Gallons: | 13.65 | Purchases: | 1 |
| June 2012 | MPG: | 38.242 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.51 | |
| Starting odometer: | 204,281 | Ending odometer: | 205,052 | Miles traveled: | 771 |
| Total cost: | $70.74 | Total Gallons: | 20.161 | Purchases: | 1 |
| July 2012 | MPG: | 21.534 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.41 | |
| Starting odometer: | 205,052 | Ending odometer: | 205,488 | Miles traveled: | 436 |
| Total cost: | $69.02 | Total Gallons: | 20.247 | Purchases: | 1 |
| August 2012 | MPG: | 21.225 | Avg. Cost/Gallon: | $3.53 | |
| Starting odometer: | 205,488 | Ending odometer: | 205,742 | Miles traveled: | 254 |
| Total cost: | $42.23 | Total Gallons: | 11.967 | Purchases: | 1 |