How Much Will Gas Cost for Your Trip?
This fuel cost calculator estimates how much you will spend on gas or diesel for any drive. Choose imperial units (miles, MPG and price per gallon) or metric units (kilometers, L/100 km and price per liter), then enter the distance, your vehicle's fuel efficiency and the fuel price. Add an optional number of trips per week to estimate your annual commuting fuel cost.
Fuel Cost Formulas
Example: a 300-mile road trip in a car that gets 25 MPG uses 12 gallons. At $3.50 per gallon, the trip costs $42, or 14 cents per mile.
- Imperial: fuel used (gallons) = distance (miles) ÷ MPG.
- Metric: fuel used (liters) = distance (km) ÷ 100 × L/100 km.
- Trip cost = fuel used × price per unit of fuel.
- Annual estimate = trip cost × trips per week × 52.
Ways to Save on Fuel
- Keep tires properly inflated, since under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy.
- Drive at steady, moderate speeds. Fuel economy drops quickly above about 50–60 mph.
- Remove roof racks and extra weight when you are not using them.
- Use fuel price apps to find cheaper stations along your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my car's real MPG?
Fill the tank and reset your trip odometer. At your next fill-up, divide the miles driven by the gallons needed to refill. Repeat a few times for an accurate average.
How do I split gas money for a road trip?
Calculate the total trip cost here, then divide it by the number of people sharing the ride. For a round trip, double the one-way distance first.
What is the difference between MPG and L/100 km?
MPG measures how far you go on one gallon, so higher is better. L/100 km measures how much fuel it takes to go 100 km, so lower is better. To convert, divide 235.2 by either number.