The Chevrolet Avalanche does 15.7 mpg combined (13.9 city, 19.2 highway), which works out to about $2,446 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Avalanche engine, compared
The Chevrolet Avalanche was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 13.9 / 19.2 | 2002–2013 | $2,446 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Avalanche burns a gallon every 15.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 764 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.204 |
| Fuel per year | $2,446 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,230 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$61 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,996 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Avalanche gives up 5.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.2 out there against 13.9 in town, a 38% drop worth $763 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 13.9 mpg | $2,763 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.2 mpg | $2,000 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.3 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Avalanche changed over the years
The Avalanche peaked in 2013 at 17 mpg (15 city, 21 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 14 — 3 mpg apart, or $484 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2013 car does 17. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2012 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2011 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2010 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2009 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2005 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2003 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2002 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Avalanche — 1 engine across 2002–2013. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,996. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Avalanche get?
15.7 mpg combined on average — 13.9 in the city and 19.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2002–2013.
How much does a Chevrolet Avalanche cost in fuel per year?
About $2,446 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,230 over five years, or 0.204 dollars a mile.
Which Avalanche engine is the most economical?
The 5.3L 8-cyl at 15.7 mpg.
Is the Avalanche good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world Avalanche figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet Avalanche is $3,996 against the $2,446 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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