Hybrid or Gasoline? What's Better for Summer Road Trips in 2025

Summer is here, gas prices are rising, and many drivers are asking:
Should I take a hybrid or gas car for my long trip? Let's break it down in simple words, using facts, not guesses.

🚗 What's the Difference?

Gasoline cars run only on fuel.

Hybrid cars use both fuel and electricity. Some can drive short distances on battery alone.

🔍 What We Found at EpicVIN

We looked at over 62,000 vehicle history reports and trip data from the last 3 summers. Here's what stood out:

Hybrid cars saved drivers an average of $28 per 300-mile trip.

Gasoline cars had fewer charging or energy-related stops.

87% of hybrid drivers needed to refill only once during a 600+ mile road trip.

According to EpicVIN CMO Alex Black:

"Our data shows that hybrid drivers save fuel without giving up comfort. For most long-distance summer trips, hybrids are the smarter choice-if you plan your stops well."

✅ Hybrid: The Pros for Road Trips

Better MPG: Most hybrids get over 50 miles per gallon.
Fewer fuel stops: Great if you're driving through remote areas.
Quiet ride: Especially at low speeds-makes driving less tiring.
Less emissions: Good for the planet, especially during heavy summer travel.

⚠️ Hybrid: What to Watch Out For

Battery charging: Plug-in hybrids need charging stations. Some areas still lack them.

Higher price: New hybrids cost more upfront. But summer fuel savings can help balance that.

Complex repairs: Hybrid systems may be harder to fix if something breaks on the road.

✅ Gas Cars: The Pros for Road Trips

Easier to find fuel: Gas stations are everywhere.

Lower cost upfront: Gas cars are still cheaper to buy.

No charging worries: Just fill and go-no need to look for outlets.

⚠️ Gas Cars: What to Watch Out For

Lower MPG: Average is around 30 MPG on highways.

More fuel stops: Especially if you carry heavy luggage or tow.

Higher emissions: Especially during slow traffic or hot engine conditions.

🔋 Example

To help you understand the difference, here's a simulated trip example based on average fuel economy and current gas prices.

A family of four drove from Chicago to Denver (1,000+ miles) in both a 2021 Toyota Camry (gas) and a 2022 Toyota Prius (hybrid). Here's what happened:

Camry:

Used 33 gallons of gas
Spent about $154 on fuel
Made 3 gas stops

Prius:
Used 18 gallons of gas
Spent about $84 on fuel
Made 1 gas stop

That's a $70 savings on just one trip.

💡 What EpicVIN Experts Recommend

If you're going on a long summer trip, ask yourself:

Will I be near charging stations?
Do I want to save on gas or buy cheaper now?
How often do I plan to take long drives?

For daily drivers or weekend travelers, hybrids are a great pick.

If you're crossing states or visiting national parks, a gas car might still be more convenient-unless you have a hybrid with a long-range battery.

📌 Final Takeaway

Both types of cars can work for summer trips. But if you want to spend less on fuel and reduce stops, a hybrid is the better choice in 2025.

Ready to travel smart this summer?

Check your car's history before the road trip. Go to https://epicvin.com/ and try our VIN Check Tool-it's fast, easy, and free.

Article written by EpicVIN automotive analysts using verified data from over 500 million VIN records.

EpicVIN
2980 NE 207th St, Suite 300-189, Aventura, FL 33180 USA
support@epicvin.com
(954) 639-4497
Media Contact:
Alice Coleman
alice@epicvin.com

EpicVIN is a trusted provider of vehicle history reports, offering drivers, dealerships, and car buyers accurate data on used vehicles across the United States. Powered by NMVTIS-approved data, EpicVIN helps users uncover accident history, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and more-empowering smarter, safer car buying decisions.

This release was published on openPR.