Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate total gas cost for your road trip. Enter distance, MPG (or L/100km), and fuel price.
About Fuel Efficiency
In the US, fuel efficiency is measured in MPG (miles per gallon). The average new car in 2024 gets about 28 MPG. Trucks and SUVs average 18–24 MPG, while hybrids reach 40–50 MPG.
Tips to Improve Fuel Economy
- Maintain steady highway speeds (55–65 mph is optimal)
- Check tire pressure monthly (underinflated tires reduce MPG by 3%)
- Remove roof racks when not in use
- Use cruise control on long highway stretches
Estimating the Cost of a Trip
Fuel cost depends on three things: the distance, your vehicle's fuel economy, and the price per unit of fuel. The formula is: cost = (distance ÷ economy) × price. For a 300-mile trip in a car that does 30 miles per gallon with fuel at $3.50/gallon, that's (300 ÷ 30) × 3.50 = $35. The calculator handles miles per gallon, km per litre, and litres per 100 km so it works wherever you drive.
Why Real Costs Vary
Quoted fuel economy is measured in ideal conditions. City driving, heavy loads, roof boxes, cold weather, aggressive acceleration, and low tyre pressure all cut efficiency, sometimes by 10–30%. When budgeting a long trip, it is safer to assume slightly worse economy than the sticker figure.
Splitting the Cost
Carpooling? Work out the total here, then divide by the number of passengers — or use the bill splitter to share it evenly.