About the Fuel Cost Calculator
Planning a road trip, daily commute, or delivery route? This Fuel Cost Calculator helps you estimate how much fuel you’ll need and what it will cost, using your preferred unit system. Enter the trip distance, your vehicle’s fuel efficiency (mpg or L/100 km), and the current price per gallon or liter. The tool instantly shows total fuel required and estimated cost so you can budget with confidence.
Real‑world mileage varies. Traffic, terrain, driving speed, tire pressure, cargo weight, AC usage, and weather can all shift efficiency up or down. If you expect heavy traffic or mountain passes, consider adding a buffer distance or slightly reducing your efficiency input to create a more conservative estimate. Likewise, EV and hybrid drivers can adapt the approach by converting consumption to an equivalent cost framework.
This calculator is ideal for trip planning, expense reimbursement, fleet estimates, or comparing route options. Combine it with your navigation app’s distance projection to evaluate different stops or detours. If your vehicle’s onboard computer reports recent average mpg, use that value for better accuracy; otherwise, consult your vehicle rating and adjust based on experience. We’ve included tips and FAQs below to help you tailor assumptions to your situation.
Key features
- Works in imperial (mpg) and metric (L/100 km)
- Instant fuel needed and total trip cost
- Great for commuting, road trips, and fleets
- Helpful guidance and examples for accuracy
- Mobile‑friendly and fast
How to use
- Choose unit system (imperial or metric).
- Enter trip distance, fuel efficiency, and fuel price.
- Review fuel needed and total cost.
Formula
Imperial: Fuel Needed (gal) = Distance (mi) ÷ MPG; Cost = Fuel × Price/gal
Metric: Fuel Needed (L) = Distance (km) × (L/100 km) ÷ 100; Cost = Fuel × Price/L
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Distance | Trip length in miles or kilometers |
| Fuel efficiency | Vehicle consumption (mpg or L/100 km) |
| Fuel price | Price per gallon or per liter |
Examples
- 200 miles at 30 mpg, $3.90/gal → Fuel ≈ 6.67 gal; Cost ≈ $26.01.
- 450 km at 7.5 L/100 km, $1.80/L → Fuel ≈ 33.75 L; Cost ≈ $60.75.
- Add 10% buffer for traffic or detours to avoid underestimating costs.
Tips
- Use your recent average mpg from the trip computer for best accuracy.
- Lower speeds and proper tire pressure typically improve fuel economy.
- Plan fuel stops where prices are lower; suburban stations may be cheaper than highway stops.