Calculate fuel costs for any trip
Calculate fuel costs for any trip by entering distance, fuel efficiency, and gas price. Supports both imperial (MPG) and metric (L/100km) units. Split costs between passengers for road trips. This tool runs entirely in your browser — no data is sent to any server.
Fuel cost is often the biggest variable expense of car ownership. This calculator helps you estimate trip costs, compare vehicles, and budget for commuting. Enter your distance, your car's fuel consumption (usually found in the owner's manual or on fueleconomy.gov), and current fuel prices. The calculator works in both metric (L/100km, €/L) and imperial (MPG, $/gallon) units. Beyond individual trips, it helps with financial decisions: is a more fuel-efficient car worth the premium? How much does your daily commute actually cost per month? What's the fuel difference between driving and flying for a long trip?
Check your owner's manual, the fuel economy label (usually on the driver's door jamb), or search your make/model on fueleconomy.gov. Real-world consumption is typically 10-20% higher than official ratings.
Divide 235.215 by L/100km to get US MPG (or 282.481 for UK MPG). A car rated 8 L/100km = 29.4 US MPG. This calculator handles both units automatically.
Official tests use ideal conditions. Real factors that increase consumption: city driving (vs highway), aggressive acceleration, AC usage, cold weather, roof racks, underinflated tires, and carrying heavy loads.
For solo travelers, flying is often cheaper for 300+ mile trips. With 3-4 passengers sharing fuel costs, driving is usually cheaper and more flexible. Factor in parking, tolls, and vehicle wear for a fair comparison.
At $0.15/kWh, an EV averaging 3 miles/kWh costs about $0.05/mile — roughly 1/3 the cost of a 30 MPG gasoline car at $3.50/gallon ($0.12/mile). EV savings increase with higher gas prices.