Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate the total cost of gas or diesel for a road trip. Estimate fuel needed based on distance and your vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG or L/100km).
How to Calculate Fuel Cost
Planning a road trip? Calculating your fuel expenses is simple if you know three things: your trip distance, your vehicle's fuel economy, and the price of gas.
Cost Formula (Imperial)
In the US, fuel efficiency is measured in Miles Per Gallon (MPG).
Total Cost = Fuel Needed × Price per Gallon
Example: A 300-mile trip in a car getting 25 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon.
300 / 25 = 12 gallons.
12 × $3.50 = $42.00.
Cost Formula (Metric)
Most of the world uses Liters per 100 Kilometers (L/100km).
Total Cost = Fuel Needed × Price per Liter
Tips to Save Fuel
- Drive Smoothly: Rapid acceleration and hard braking waste gas.
- Check Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance.
- Reduce Speed: Fuel economy decreases significantly at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) due to wind resistance.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Most modern cars display average MPG on the dashboard. Alternatively, reset your trip odometer when you fill up, drive until empty, fill up again, and divide the miles driven by the gallons needed to refill.
Yes, running the air conditioner puts extra load on the engine, reducing fuel efficiency by up to 20%, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
Generally, yes. Vehicles are most efficient when maintaining a constant speed in a high gear, which happens on highways. City driving involves frequent stops which burn more fuel.