How far can my car travel on empty?
I’m one of those drivers who doesn’t fuel their car until the tank is empty. When the gas light comes on I’ll even drive for a day before I head to the gas station. How far can my car drive on empty?
Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You can drive anywhere from 30 miles to 50 miles on empty, depending on the type of car you have.
Two key factors play a role in how long you can drive your car on empty:
- The size of your car’s gas tank
- The car’sgas mileage
In general, you can expect the gas warning light to illuminate when your tank is at 10–15% capacity. So, if your car gets about 300 miles out of a tank of gas, you can probably go 30–45 miles once the gas light comes on.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Browse More Content
Car Repair Resources
Insurance in Your State
What Others Are Asking
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
Browse By Topics
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
