The Toyota Prius is one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the market. With great gas mileage and an impressive range per tank, it’s no wonder the Prius is such a popular choice for drivers looking to save money on fuel costs. But exactly how far can you expect to travel between fill ups? Let’s take a closer look at real world Prius gas mileage and range per tank.
Prius Models and Fuel Tank Sizes
The fuel tank capacity varies across Prius models and trim levels:
- Prius Two – 11.3 gallons
- Prius Two Eco – 11.3 gallons
- Prius Three – 11.3 gallons
- Prius Four – 11.3 gallons
- Prius Prime – 8.8 gallons
The standard Prius has an 11.3 gallon tank, while the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid has a smaller 8.8 gallon fuel tank. The fuel tank size is one factor that determines overall driving range.
EPA Estimated Mileage for Prius
The EPA conducts extensive testing to determine the estimated gas mileage for all vehicles sold in the US. Here are the combined city/highway EPA estimates for each Prius model:
- Prius Two Eco – 56 MPG
- Prius Two – 52 MPG
- Prius Three – 52 MPG
- Prius Four – 52 MPG
- Prius Prime – 55 MPG
As you can see, Prius fuel economy ranges from 52 to 56 MPG across the different models. The Prius Two Eco trim has the best EPA rating at 56 MPG combined. These estimates are based on ideal laboratory testing, so real world results will vary.
Calculating Driving Range on a Full Tank
To determine approximate driving range on a full tank, we can use this simple formula:
Full tank driving range = Fuel tank capacity x EPA MPG estimate
Let’s plug in the numbers for a standard Prius Two with an 11.3 gallon fuel tank and 52 MPG EPA rating:
11.3 gallons x 52 MPG = 588 miles
Based on EPA data, a Prius Two with a full 11.3 gallon tank can travel approximately 588 miles before needing to refuel. Of course, fuel economy and range will be impacted by your specific driving conditions.
Driving Range by Prius Model
Using the formula above, we can calculate full tank range for each Prius model:
| Prius Model | Fuel Tank Capacity | EPA MPG | Full Tank Range |
| Prius Prime | 8.8 gallons | 55 MPG | 484 miles |
| Prius Two Eco | 11.3 gallons | 56 MPG | 633 miles |
| Prius Two | 11.3 gallons | 52 MPG | 588 miles |
| Prius Three | 11.3 gallons | 52 MPG | 588 miles |
| Prius Four | 11.3 gallons | 52 MPG | 588 miles |
The Prius Two Eco has the longest estimated full tank range at 633 miles, while the Prius Prime plug-in has the shortest at 484 miles. The standard Prius models can all go approximately 588 miles on a full 11.3 gallon tank.
Real World MPG and Range for Prius
In actual on-road driving, most Prius owners experience fuel economy a bit lower than the EPA estimates. Aggressive driving, cold weather, and frequent short trips can all reduce real world gas mileage. Based on user submitted data, we can estimate average real world fuel economy for the Prius lineup:
- Prius Prime – 50 MPG
- Prius Two Eco – 51 MPG
- Prius Two – 48 MPG
- Prius Three – 48 MPG
- Prius Four – 48 MPG
Plugging these real world MPG estimates into our formula gives us the following approximate full tank driving range:
| Prius Model | Fuel Tank Capacity | Real World MPG | Full Tank Range |
| Prius Prime | 8.8 gallons | 50 MPG | 440 miles |
| Prius Two Eco | 11.3 gallons | 51 MPG | 576 miles |
| Prius Two | 11.3 gallons | 48 MPG | 542 miles |
| Prius Three | 11.3 gallons | 48 MPG | 542 miles |
| Prius Four | 11.3 gallons | 48 MPG | 542 miles |
Under typical driving conditions, Prius owners can expect to get 440-576 miles out of a full tank depending on the model. The Two Eco has the longest range, while the Prime plug-in hybrid has the shortest distance between fill-ups.
What Impacts Prius Gas Mileage and Range?
While the EPA estimates and average real world MPG numbers provide useful baseline metrics, your individual gas mileage and range will vary based on these main factors:
Driving Style
Aggressive acceleration, speeding, and frequent hard braking will reduce Prius fuel economy. Maintaining a light foot and smoothly modulating the throttle and brakes helps maximize MPG.
Trip Length
Short trips and city driving bring down Prius gas mileage as the engine doesn’t have a chance to fully warm up and operate most efficiently. Long highway trips will generally yield better fuel economy.
Outside Temperature
Extreme cold weather decreases Prius fuel economy. Warm summer temperatures allow the Prius hybrid system to operate more efficiently.
Terrain and Elevation
Hilly or mountainous driving areas require more battery usage and engine power, reducing MPG. Flat highway roads yield optimal fuel economy.
Vehicle Loading
Heavier passenger and cargo loads make the engine work harder, lowering gas mileage. Traveling light helps maximize range.
Tire Pressure
Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance which reduces Prius fuel economy. Maintaining the recommended tire pressures minimizes drag and rolling resistance.
Regular Maintenance
A properly maintained Prius operates at peak efficiency. Follow the factory maintenance schedule and replace components like air filters and spark plugs at recommended intervals.
Tips to Improve Prius Gas Mileage and Range
While driving style is the biggest factor, there are some additional things Prius owners can do to help improve real world MPG and max out driving distance per tank:
- Inflate tires to the recommended pressures
- Use the recommended grade of motor oil
- Remove unnecessary cargo weight
- Plan trip routes to minimize stops and starts
- Accelerate smoothly and gently
- Avoid excessive idling when possible
- Maintain steady highway cruising speeds
- Use the EV mode judiciously
- Regularly clean the engine air filter
- Keep up with scheduled maintenance
Adopting some of these gas mileage maximizing habits can help Prius owners get every last mile out of a tank of gas.
How Far Can a Prius Go on Empty?
When the fuel gauge reaches empty, there is still a small reserve of gas in the tank. For most vehicles, this reserve capacity is 1-2 gallons. Based on real world Prius gas mileage, here is how far you can expect to drive once the low fuel light comes on:
- Prius Prime – Up to 100 miles on reserve
- Prius Two Eco – Up to 102 miles on reserve
- Prius Two – Up to 96 miles on reserve
- Prius Three – Up to 96 miles on reserve
- Prius Four – Up to 96 miles on reserve
This useful reserve capacity gives you some leeway to find a gas station once the fuel light activates. But it’s still critical to refuel promptly to avoid getting stranded on empty.
Conclusion
In summary, here are the key takeaways on Prius gas mileage and driving range per tank:
- EPA ratings are 52-56 MPG combined for Prius models
- Real world average is around 48-51 MPG for most drivers
- Full tank range is 440-576 miles depending on Prius model
- Driving habits and conditions greatly impact MPG and range
- Well maintained Prius can maximize fuel economy
- Drive conservatively to get the most miles per tank
Understanding Prius gas mileage capabilities and driving style impact can help owners get the maximum driving distance out of each fill up. Careful driving habits and proper maintenance are key to optimize fuel efficiency. With excellent MPG and impressive range, the Toyota Prius is a great choice for squeezing the most miles out of every gallon.
