Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate required gasoline volume and total fuel expenses for road trips based on distance, fuel economy, and gas prices.
About Fuel Cost Calculations
Estimating road trip fuel costs allows travelers to budget transportation budgets accurately and split gas expenses equitably across travel companions.
Formulas
- Fuel Required (Gallons): Trip Distance / Fuel Economy (MPG)
- Total Gas Cost: Fuel Required × Price per Gallon
- Cost per Mile: Total Gas Cost / Trip Distance
Worked Example
A 450-mile road trip in a vehicle delivering 28 MPG with gas at $3.65/gallon:
- Fuel burned: 450 / 28 = 16.07 gallons
- Total trip cost: 16.07 × $3.65 = $58.66
- Operating fuel expense: ~$0.13 per mile
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does highway MPG differ from city driving?
Stop-and-go driving burns energy during frequent deceleration and acceleration cycles, whereas highway cruising utilizes top-gear transmission ratios with minimal braking.
How does vehicle load impact fuel efficiency?
Carrying heavy cargo, roof racks, or full passenger cabins increases rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag, degrading MPG by 5% to 15%.
Does driving speed degrade fuel economy?
Yes. Aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed; driving at 75 mph consumes up to 20% more fuel than cruising at 60 mph.
How do you calculate metric fuel economy (L/100km)?
Divide 235.215 by the vehicle's US MPG rating to find liters consumed per 100 kilometers traveled.
Calculate in three steps
- 1Enter your valuesUse the fields above and check the units shown beside each input.
- 2Run the calculationSelect Calculate to refresh the result with your latest values.
- 3Review or shareCompare the result, reset the form, print it, or share this page.