ATV’s provide tons of fun and is a great way to get your mind off of the daily stresses. But that fun can come to a screeching halt very quickly if you happen to run out of gas. That poses the question: How far can an ATV go on a tank of gas?
There are too many factors to consider to give a universally definitive answer to this question. In general though, ATVs can go anywhere between 40 – 200 miles on a single tank of gas, depending on the tank size, the type of driving, the type of ATV, etc.
Now that we’ve established a very broad idea of how much you can get out of a tank of gas from a hobby ATV, let’s take a deeper look at the different kinds of ATV and how different situations will affect your gas consumption.
Types of ATVs
The question about fuel capacity and economy can be quite difficult to answer accurately since there are so many factors to consider like how aggressive you drive, engine size, the type of ATV, etc.
To determine how far your ATV will get on one tank of gas, we’ll have to first separate them into groups according to the different types of ATVs, namely small Hobby ATVs, Sports ATV, and Utility ATVs.
Each of these has different types of engines and different engine sizes, therefore making them different and affecting the distance you can go with each one of them on a tank of gas.
Hobby ATVs
Hobby ATVs are meant for those heading to the nearest dirt track to have as much fun as possible, comparably making them like small dirt bikes. Getting on one of these is the perfect way to unwind after a day of stress, whether you’ve been in an office all week or your hands are hard from work.
These ATVs have smaller gas tanks, only a few gallons, and it’s recommended that you grab a few extra gallons before heading off onto your adventures. These ATVs are also available in up 600cc engine capacity models, making them fast, light, and lots of fun when the road is covered in just the right amount of dirt.
The best recreational ATVs that are used by hobbyists only have a few miles of range with their gas tanks, but they are very lightweight and make it easier for you to jump, slide, play, and have as much fun as possible and aside from sports ATVs, might be the best adrenaline rush you can have on four wheels with no roof.
Tank Size & Range
Hobby ATVs usually get anywhere between 40 – 100 miles on a tank of gas.
Sports ATVs
These are the beasts, the raptors, the jumpers, and the Dakar champions that either go for days or simply need to complete a circuit in as little time as possible. These are ironically anything from 250cc engines that have small gas tanks to almost 1000cc engines that have gas tanks large enough for day-long rides.
The world of sports ATVs is one that is simply too large to sum up. The number of sports that they are used in is also too much to count, meaning that they would need their own, very long article to cover. Regarding the question of how far they can drive on one tank of gas, it depends on the situation in which they are being utilized and the person driving them.
For circuit racing, they are usually used with smaller gas tanks, making them light and easy to maneuver. Circuit racing involves jumps, dirt, sand, and lots of fun times for the riders. This is why it’s important that these ATVs can be driven fast and for slightly extended periods. They usually complete around 30 laps of a circuit, with each circuit being around one to 4 miles in length.
Then there’s the long-distance sprinters, the off-road champions, and the ATVs that are used by those that truly know what they’re doing. Used in championships like the Dakar and adventure runs, and taking you through some of the toughest terrains for an ATV to go through. Easily reaching distances of thousands of miles, these races are intense and can last for several days.
As a side note, these ATVs can reach speeds of almost 100mph and should not be used when you’re still new to the off-roading and ATVs…
Tank Size & Range
Sports ATVs are optimized for speed and distance, usually being close to 1000cc bikes that can be economical when needed. They can get anywhere between 100 or 200 miles on a single tank of gas, using new technologies that make them as economical and fast as possible.
Utility ATVs
This is where you find the workhorses, the ATVs that know how to climb a mountain and also take the truck along with it.
These are heavy, large, and strength-based ATVs that favor torque over speed, allowing you to do things on the farm, ranch, or just driving around at moderate speeds. As an extra caveat, the ATVs that form part of this group are more relaxed and can even have roofs and come in two or three seaters, but they do cost a bit more.
The wonderful thing about these ATVs is that they can go almost anywhere, in a way that other ATVs may have trouble doing. Their ability to be four-wheel drive and have high torque lets them climb in and out of gorges that most other vehicles would not be able to manage. They can also be accessorized remarkably well too, letting you add hooks, luggage rails, and even lighting units for nighttime work.
Tank Size & Range
Having a similar range to Sports ATVs of between 100 to 200 miles or more, on a single tank of gas, some of these larger, more equipped ATVs have the same power as most small cars. Anything from 200cc to 1200cc engine capacity models exists and the size of their gas tank increases along with their engine capacity.
Other factors that influence fuel consumption
Now that we’ve covered the different types of ATVs, let’s examine some of the other factors that can influence the fuel consumption of your ATV.
Weight
Weight plays a big role in fuel consumption and the lighter you can get your ATV, the better the fuel consumption that you will get.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics also plays a major role in fuel consumption and the less resistance you have while driving your ATV, the better your fuel consumption will be.
Tire Pressure
Low tire pressure, especially on the drive tires, can negatively impact your fuel consumption and always follow the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for the tires on your ATV.
Terrain
Needless to say, smooth even roads will yield much better fuel consumption than rocky and muddy terrains, but that’s where the fun lives.
Modified versus stock
Modified engines, as much performance, and fun as they can add to your ATV and off-roading experience, with the increased performance from the modifications, comes a heavier fuel consumption.
Engine tuning
An engine that is worn out and out of tune will affect your fuel consumption and you will get much fewer miles per gallon as you would with your engine finely tuned and functioning optimally.
Some popular ATVs and their range
Here is a list of some popular ATVs along with their respective ranges (miles per gallon) according to fuelly.com.
| BRAND | MODEL | YEAR | MPG |
| Suzuki | LT-A700X KingQuad 4×4 | 2005 | 8.9 |
| 2007 | 25.7 | ||
| Kawasaki | KVF650 Prairie 4×4 | 2002 | 10.9 |
| Can-Am | Commander 1000 XT | 2012 | 12.8 |
| 2016 | 29.9 | ||
| Commander 800R | 2015 | 9.0 | |
| Maverick X3 X rc Turbo R | 2019 | 14.8 | |
| Honda | TRX350TM FourTrax Rancher | 2001 | 16.8 |
| 2002 | 25.6 | ||
| 2006 | 35.4 | ||
| Yamaha | YFM700 Grizzly EPS | 2018 | 7.7 |
| 2019 | 19.5 |
Conclusion
When it comes to how far an ATV can go on a tank of gas, it all depends on the type of ATV you have, what you’re planning to do with it, and how hard you drive it.
No matter what the situation is though, just make sure you have a few extra gallons of gas nearby in case you run out of it. The last thing you want is for your fun to be cut short because you ran out of gas.
Also, be sure to check out our recommended gear section for the necessary recovery and maintenance equipment that you should always have with you while out on your off-roading adventures to help you out of those sticky situations.
