Last Updated on June 8, 2026 by Kristin
Due to the Iran war, U.S. gas prices crossed a four-year high in 2026 according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), averaging well over $4 per gallon nationwide. Many energy experts say gas could top $5 per gallon this summer, leaving many drivers to wonder how they can pay less at the pump. Shopping rewards programs, some credit cards, and gas-tracking apps can help drivers find the best gas prices and discounts. But many drivers are also asking how they can use less fuel overall. One popular tip is that you can save gas by turning off the air conditioning in your car. But is it true?
Your mileage may vary depending on various factors. Here’s how much gas you can save by turning off the air conditioning.
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How Does Air Conditioning Work in a Car?
To understand how turning off your car’s air conditioning can help you save on gas, it’s important to learn the basics of how the system works. A car’s air conditioning system changes refrigerant liquid into a gas. As the refrigerant evaporates, the temperature of the air in your car cools down. An air conditioning system includes several different parts, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator and dryer.
Why Does Turning off A/C Save Gas?
The part of the air conditioning system that relates to fuel consumption is the compressor, which is connected to the engine’s crankshaft with a belt. This is a key step in the cooling process, as the compressor heats the gas before it is condensed into a liquid and then cooled down.
How does this affect a car’s fuel economy? The engine needs more power when the air conditioning is on, and this extra load can decrease fuel efficiency.
How Much Gas Can You Save?
How much gas can you save by cutting out the air conditioning in your car? It depends.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that using air conditioning under “very hot conditions” can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by more than 25% on shorter trips. Meanwhile, another study from 2019 published in the Transportation Research Record Journal found that air conditioning reduces fuel economy in the range of 1.3-7.5%, and that fuel consumption is 13% higher when the car is idling.
While these findings show that air conditioning does impact fuel economy to some extent, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should never use it. Driving with your windows down can also hurt fuel economy, as the air passing through the windows at high speeds causes drag.
So, when should you use air conditioning, and when should you avoid it? If your goal is maximizing your fuel efficiency, the DOE suggests taking a hybrid approach of driving with the windows down at lower speeds and using air conditioning on the highway.
While air conditioning can impact fuel economy, the actual amount of miles it shaves off depends on several factors. Are you driving in the city, or on the highway? How old is the car you’re driving? How hot is it outside? All of these factors can influence how much more quickly you’ll have to refill your gas when driving with the air conditioning on.
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It’s also worth noting that air conditioning is just one of many factors that can affect your fuel consumption. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that aggressive driving and hard braking can lower your miles per gallon (MPG), as well as low tire pressure, traffic, road conditions and weather.
The bottom line: Turning off the air conditioning when driving at slower speeds can help your fuel economy, but it’s just one of several factors that will determine how much gas you use.
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