What is the Best Car for Commuting 50 Miles per Day?

A 50-mile round trip isn’t an uncommon commute for those who live in the suburbs but need to travel into a major city for their job or for school. Some employees have an even longer commute. Parents with multiple kids also might need to drive long distances for sports and/or for school drop off and pick up.

For those who drive extensively, a fuel efficient vehicle can save money and time. The cars with the best MPG require fewer trips to the gas stations. Some models don’t even need gas. What is the best car for commuting 50 miles per day?

Those who want to maximize fuel—or even ditch the gas station—should choose:

• Electric vehicles

• Hybrid vehicles

• Economical and high-MPG standard models

Think Electric: The Best Car for Commuting without Stopping for Gas

Consumers who are committed to a green life might be motivated to decrease their dependence on fossil fuels. One of the easiest ways to do this is to choose a vehicle that doesn’t require the use of these fuels to power the drive.

Electric vehicles are powered by a battery that regenerates via an electrical charge. These don’t include MPG stats; instead, buyers need to focus on the range of the vehicle. The range denotes the distance the car can travel on a full charge.

Like fuel efficiency, the range of a vehicle can be impacted by driving habits or other conditions. Driving uphill, using the heat or air conditioner, carrying heavy loads or towing, traveling at fast speeds and idling can decrease the vehicle’s range.

Every year, new electric models are introduced by manufacturers. There are numerous electric vehicles for buyers, and they vary in price and range. The most affordable electric car is the Nissan Leaf, which has a starting MSRP of $27,800; its estimated range is 212 miles.

Many electric vehicles offer estimated ranges of more than 300 miles. The Lucid Air Dream Edition offers the longest range (an estimated 520 miles), but Lucid is no longer accepting orders for the model. The electric vehicles with the longest range are these models:

• Tesla Model S (estimated range of 405 miles)

• Tesla Model 3 Long Range (estimated range of 358 miles)

• Mercedes EQS (estimated range of 350 miles)

• Tesla Model X (estimated range of 348 miles)

• Tesla Model Y Long Range  (estimated range of 330 miles)

With the Air Dream Edition no longer available, four out of five of the longest range models are produced by Tesla. Those who want the electric model with the best range might opt for a Tesla.

However, new models are expected by manufacturers. In fact, Tesla is taking orders for its new Roadster, which is expected to have an estimated range of 620 miles.

When shopping for electric vehicles, buyers don’t have to opt for a standard car. Electric vehicles include crossovers, SUVs, and even pickup trucks. Those who want an electric pickup truck can choose to order a Cybertruck or a Rivian R1T (priced at $67,500). Chevrolet also is accepting reservations for its upcoming electric Silverado RST pickup truck, which will have an estimated range of 400 miles.

Recharging the Battery to Power the Commute

For those who travel 50 miles or more per day, range could be a concern. Again, driving habits—including traffic congestion—can impact the range. Buyers might consider a mid-range vehicle to ensure they have enough battery life for their drive.

Many electric car owners charge their vehicle overnight to ensure that it has enough battery life for the next day’s commute. The type of charger impacts how fast the vehicle’s battery can recharge.

An electric vehicle might come with an electric cord that can plug into a standard outlet in the garage. These are known as a level 1 charger. While they are convenient, they don’t charge quickly. It might take 20 hours to fully charge a drained battery.

A level 2 charger is an extra investment. However, these chargers can typically fully regenerate a dead battery overnight. They require an upgraded outlet, though, and not all homes are wired for these chargers. Those whose homes aren’t wired to accommodate a level 2 charging station will need an electrician to upgrade the voltage; this adds to the cost of the charging station.

A Hybrid Ride: The Best Cars for Commuting That Offer the Most MPG

Some car buyers have range anxiety; they might not feel confident that an electric car could get them where they need to go without a recharge. They also might live in an area that doesn’t offer many public charging stations.

In areas where electric vehicles haven’t yet caught on, the accessibility of public charging stations could be a problem. If a car owner sits in traffic and watches their battery dwindle, they will need to find a station to recharge. If a station isn’t available, the driver could be stuck.

Not all buyers want to deal with charging their car. Instead, they are fine with trips to the gas stations, however, they want a car that requires fewer of those costly trips. Hybrid vehicles offer the best MPG, and these vehicles come in a variety of prices and models.

The hybrids that offer the best fuel efficiency include these models:

• Hyundai Ioniq Blue (estimated 58 MPG in the city and 60 MPG on the highway)

• Toyota Prius Eco (estimated 58 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway)

• Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (estimated 55 MPG)

• Hyundai Elantra Blue (estimated 56 MPG)

• Honda Insight (estimated 55 MPG in the city and 49 MPG on the highway)

While buyers might focus only on the fuel efficiency, others want a hybrid that’s affordable. While hybrids might be a bit more expensive than their standard counterparts, many are still less than $30K. The most affordable hybrids include:

• Ford Maverick (starts $20,995…but it’s no longer available)

• Hyundai Ioniq Blue (starts $23,600 / offers an estimated 58 MPG in the city and 60 MPG on the highway)

• Toyota Corolla Hybrid (starts at $24,050 / offers estimated 53 MPG in the city and 52 MPG on the highway)

• Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue (starts $24,100 / offers up to 56 MPG on the highway)

• Toyota Prius L Eco (starts at $25,075 / offers estimated 58 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway)

The Best Cars for Commuting to Work that are Affordable

Buyers who might not have the budget for a hybrid might look for the most fuel efficient and budget-friendly standard models. There are many models that are priced less than $20K. The most affordable models also include great fuel efficiency specs.

The most fuel-efficient and budget-friendly standard models include:

• Mitsubishi Mirage

• Chevrolet Spark

• Nissan Versa

• Kia Rio

• Hyundai Accent

About the Mitsubishi Mirage

The 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage has a starting MSRP of $14,465. It can get an estimated 36 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway. It is the most fuel-efficient standard vehicle on the market.

About the Chevrolet Spark

The Spark is the least expensive model on the market and has a starting price of $13,600. It can get an estimated 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway.

About the Nissan Versa

The Versa starts at $15,380. It can get an estimated 32 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.

About the Kia Rio

The Rio has a starting MSRP of $16,450 and offers an estimated 32 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.

About the Hyundai Accent

The Accent rounds out the list of the most affordable vehicles; it has a starting MSRP of $16,645. Like the Rio, it can get an estimated 33 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.

For buyers that aren’t necessarily looking for the lowest-priced vehicles on the market, there are several other midsize sedans that also offer good fuel efficiency. For example, buyers might opt for the Toyota Camry, which offers an estimated 28 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway. The Camry also was the most popular sedan in 2021.

Kia, Honda, and Hyundai also offer midsize and large sedans that could be a roomier and more comfortable choice for a longer commute. The Kia Forte starts at $19,090 and offers an estimated 31 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. The Honda Accord has a starting MSRP of $26,520 and offers an estimated 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway; the Hyundai Elantra starts at $20,500 and offers an estimated 31 MPG.

The Best Cars for a 50 Mile Commute

Buyers who need to travel 50 miles or more per day might look for the car that offers the best fuel efficiency. Hybrid vehicles are the most fuel efficient options, and the Hyundai Ioniq Blue offers the best gas mileage of all the hybrid models; the Ioniq Blue can get an estimated 58 MPG in the city and 60 MPG on the highway. The most fuel efficient standard model is the Mitsubishi Mirage, which can get an estimated 36 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway.

While electric models allow commuters to drive past the gas stations, some might not live in an area where charging stations are plentiful; those who don’t have access to many public stations might shop for a longer range vehicle.