Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate the fuel cost of a trip based on distance, fuel efficiency, and fuel price.
About the Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimating the fuel cost of a road trip or daily commute helps with budgeting and comparing vehicles or routes. This calculator works with either MPG or L/100km efficiency ratings and computes the total fuel needed and its cost for any trip distance.
How It Works
In MPG mode, the calculator divides trip distance by miles-per-gallon to find gallons needed. In L/100km mode, it multiplies distance by the L/100km rating and divides by 100 to find liters needed. Either way, it then multiplies the fuel needed by the price per unit to get total cost.
MPG mode: Fuel Needed = Distance / MPG. L/100km mode: Fuel Needed = Distance / 100 × L/100km. Cost = Fuel Needed × Price.
Example
Scenario: A 300-mile trip at 28 MPG with fuel priced at $3.50 per gallon.
Result: About 10.7 gallons needed, for a total fuel cost of roughly $37.50.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Assumes consistent fuel efficiency across the entire trip, without adjusting for highway versus city driving mix.
- Fuel price is assumed constant for the full trip.
- Does not account for tolls, other trip expenses, or efficiency changes from cargo load, terrain, or driving style.