Gasoline is the main U.S. transportation fuel

In 2017, Americans used about 143 billion gallons of motor gasoline—or about 391 million gallons per day—and 173 million gallons of aviation gasoline. Gasoline is one of the major fuels consumed in the United States and is the main product that U.S. oil refineries produce. Most of the motor gasoline sold for use in vehicles in the United States is about 10% fuel ethanol by volume.

Most gasoline is used in cars and light trucks
A photograph of a highway traffic jam.

Source: Stock photography (copyrighted)

U.S. consumers use gasoline in

  • Cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, and motorcycles
  • Recreational vehicles and boats
  • Small aircraft
  • Equipment and tools used in construction, farming, forestry, and landscaping
  • Electricity generators for portable and emergency power supply

In 2017, gasoline accounted for about 59% of total transportation sector energy consumption, 47% of total petroleum consumption, and 18% of total U.S. energy consumption.1

Light-duty vehicles (cars, sport utility vehicles, and small trucks) account for about 92% of all gasoline consumption in the United States.2

1 Aviation gasoline and motor gasoline including fuel ethanol.

2 Estimates from the Annual Energy Outlook 2018, Reference case, Table 37, February 2018.