Fuel Cost Calculator (Trip & Commute)
Work out what a drive costs in gas — one way or round trip, split between passengers.
To estimate a trip's fuel cost, divide the distance by your vehicle's fuel economy to get the fuel used, then multiply by the price per unit. A 300-mile drive at 30 MPG uses 10 gallons; at $3.50 a gallon that's $35. Switch to metric to work in kilometres, litres per 100 km, and price per litre. Add a round trip or split the cost between passengers.
This is a planning estimate. Real fuel use varies with traffic, terrain, speed, load, weather, and how the vehicle is driven, and pump prices change constantly. Treat the result as a ballpark, not an exact figure.
Total fuel cost
$14.00
- Fuel used
- 4.00 gal
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About the Fuel Cost Calculator
This calculator estimates what a drive costs in fuel so you can plan a road trip, compare routes, or split gas fairly with the people in the car. In US units you enter the distance in miles, your vehicle's fuel economy in miles per gallon, and the price per gallon; the tool divides distance by MPG to find the gallons you'll burn and multiplies by the price for the total. In metric it works the same way with kilometres, litres per 100 kilometres, and price per litre. Two options make it more useful in practice: tick round trip to double the distance for an out-and-back drive, and enter the number of passengers to see the cost per person when you're sharing the ride. Fuel economy is the number that matters most and the one people misjudge — the sticker figure is measured under ideal conditions, and real-world mileage is usually lower, especially in city traffic, cold weather, at highway speeds, or with a loaded vehicle. Use your own observed MPG if you track it for a closer estimate. Because both mileage and pump prices move around, treat the result as a solid ballpark for budgeting rather than an exact receipt.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate the fuel cost of a trip?+
Divide the trip distance by your fuel economy to get the fuel used, then multiply by the price per unit. In US units: gallons = miles ÷ MPG, and cost = gallons × price per gallon. A 300-mile trip at 30 MPG uses 10 gallons, which at $3.50 costs $35.
Does it work in metric units?+
Yes. Switch to metric and enter the distance in kilometres, fuel economy in litres per 100 km, and price per litre. Litres used = distance ÷ 100 × L/100km. A 500 km trip at 8 L/100km uses 40 litres, which at $1.80 a litre costs $72.
How do I split fuel cost between passengers?+
Enter the number of people sharing the ride and the calculator shows the cost per person alongside the total. It's an easy way to divide gas money fairly for a carpool or road trip.
Why is my real fuel cost different from the estimate?+
Because fuel economy in the real world rarely matches the sticker number. City driving, high speeds, cold starts, idling in traffic, a heavy load, and aggressive acceleration all lower your MPG. For the closest estimate, use the fuel economy you actually observe rather than the rated figure.
What counts as good fuel economy?+
It depends on the vehicle. Many gas cars land in the 25–35 MPG range, hybrids often exceed 45–50 MPG, and large trucks and SUVs can be under 20. Enter your own vehicle's number for an estimate that reflects what you actually drive.
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