Trip Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate the fuel cost of a trip based on distance, your vehicle's mileage, and current fuel price.
What this calculates
Trip planning is friendlier when you know what the gas tank will cost. This calculator multiplies distance, fuel consumption, and price together — works in both miles/gallons and km/liters. Useful for road trips, commute analysis, and quick decisions between flying and driving.
Formula & how it works
Cost (US units) = (miles ÷ MPG) × price_per_gallon. Cost (metric) = (km ÷ 100 × L/100km) × price_per_liter. Split between people: cost ÷ passengers gives per-person share. Round trip: multiply by 2.
Worked example
1,200 mile road trip in a car that gets 28 MPG at $3.50/gallon. Gallons needed = 1200 ÷ 28 = 42.86. Cost = 42.86 × 3.50 = $150.00. Split 3 ways: $50 per person. Round trip: $300 total.
Frequently asked questions
Should I add wear-and-tear?
Honest TCO includes maintenance, depreciation, and tires — typically 10–20 cents per mile beyond fuel. For a quick fuel-only estimate, this calculator is enough.
Does this work for diesel or EVs?
Diesel: yes, just use diesel price. EVs: use kWh/100km and the price per kWh instead. EV running costs are typically half to a third of gas at the same mileage.
How accurate is the MPG figure?
Use your real-world average, not the EPA sticker. Trip computers are usually within 5 % of reality but can drift over time — periodically verify by filling up completely and computing manually.
What about hills, weather, headwind?
Headwinds and steep mountains can drop MPG by 20 %+. For long trips through varied terrain, add a 10 % buffer to the estimate.