Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate the fuel cost of a trip from distance, fuel efficiency, and gas price.
Try an example
$37.50
About this calculator
What Is a Fuel Cost Calculator?
A fuel cost calculator estimates how much a trip will cost in gas or diesel. Enter the distance, your vehicle's fuel efficiency and the price of fuel, and it returns the amount of fuel needed and the total cost. It works with miles or kilometers, miles per gallon or liters per 100 km, so it suits road trips, daily commutes, rental cars and splitting costs with passengers.
How Fuel Cost Is Calculated
Fuel needed = Distance ÷ Fuel economy (when economy is in miles per gallon or km per liter), and Cost = Fuel needed × Price per unit. A 300-mile trip in a car that gets 30 mpg uses 10 gallons; at $3.50 per gallon, that is $35. If your efficiency is given as liters per 100 km, use Fuel = Distance × (L/100 km) ÷ 100.
Worked Example
A 300-mile trip in a car getting 28 mpg, with gas at $3.50/gallon, costs about $37.50 in fuel — using roughly 10.71 gallons.
What Drivers Spend on Fuel
Fuel is a big recurring cost — the average American driver spends roughly $3,000 per year on gas, according to the American Automobile Association — and prices can swing a lot by region and season. Estimating before you travel keeps surprises out of the budget.
Ways to Cut Fuel Costs
- Use public transport, bike or walk when it is practical; no fuel means no fuel cost.
- Carpool or share rides: fuel costs are divided among passengers, and shared commutes reduce overall trips.
- Drive smoothly: fast acceleration, hard braking and speeding all burn more fuel.
- Keep tires inflated and remove roof racks and extra weight you do not need.
- Combine errands so the engine warms up once, and plan efficient routes.
- Maintain your vehicle, including air filters, oil and alignment.
Make the Estimate More Accurate
Real-world efficiency is often lower than the sticker value, especially in city traffic, in cold weather or with the air conditioner on. For the most realistic number, measure your own mileage with the Gas Mileage Calculator. Estimate your travel time with the Speed Calculator, and compare the cost of a trip with other transport using the Budget Calculator.
Worked example
A 300-mile trip in a car getting 28 mpg, with gas at $3.50/gallon, costs about $37.50 in fuel — using roughly 10.71 gallons.
Frequently asked questions
Does this include anything besides fuel?
No — this is fuel cost only. Tolls, wear and tear, and other trip costs aren't included.
How accurate is my car's real-world MPG?
Actual fuel economy varies with driving style, terrain, temperature, and load, and often differs somewhat from the EPA-estimated figure — check your vehicle's trip computer or calculate it yourself with the Gas Mileage Calculator for a more accurate number.
