Why use a Fuel Cost Calculator?
Planning a road trip or managing a monthly budget? Our Fuel Cost Calculator helps you accurately estimate how much money you will spend on gas (petrol or diesel). By knowing your vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG or L/100km) and the current fuel price, you can calculate the exact cost for any distance.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Distance: Input the total distance you plan to travel. You can switch between Miles and Kilometers using the dropdown menu.
- Input Fuel Efficiency: Enter your vehicle's gas mileage.
- Use MPG if you are in the US or UK.
- Use L/100km or km/L if you are in Canada, Europe, or other metric regions.
- Set Fuel Price: Enter the current price of gas (petrol/diesel) at your local station.
- Select Round Trip: If you are driving there and back, check the "Round Trip" box to automatically double the distance.
Click Calculate Cost to see exactly how much fuel you will need and the estimated total price.
Understanding the Fuel Cost Formula
If you want to calculate gas costs manually, the math is straightforward. The formula depends on how you measure fuel efficiency.
For MPG (Miles Per Gallon)
Cost = (Distance / MPG) × Price per Gallon
Example: Driving 300 miles in a car that gets 30 MPG with gas at $4.00/gallon: (300 / 30) × 4 = $40.00.
For L/100km (Liters per 100 Kilometers)
Cost = (Distance × (L/100km / 100)) × Price per Liter
Example: Driving 500 km in a car that uses 8L/100km with gas at $1.50/liter: (500 × 0.08) × 1.50 = $60.00.
5 Factors That Affect Your Fuel Cost
The number shown in the calculator is an estimate. Your actual fuel consumption can vary based on:
- Driving Style: Aggressive acceleration and speeding can lower your fuel economy by 15%–30%.
- Vehicle Load: Carrying heavy cargo or a roof rack increases wind resistance and fuel usage.
- Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder.
- Air Conditioning: Using AC, especially at low speeds, consumes extra fuel.
- Idling: Leaving your engine running while parked burns fuel (and money) unnecessarily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I find my car's MPG or L/100km?
You can usually find your vehicle's average fuel economy on your dashboard display. If not, check your owner's manual or search online for "[Year] [Make] [Model] fuel economy."
Does this calculator work for diesel or electric vehicles?
Yes. For diesel, simply enter your diesel MPG and price. For electric vehicles (EVs), you can often use "MPGe" or "kWh/100km" if you convert the electricity cost to a "per unit" price, though dedicated EV calculators are more precise.
Why is my actual cost different from the calculation?
Road conditions, traffic jams, hills, and weather (wind/rain) all impact real-world efficiency. We recommend adding a 5-10% buffer to your budget for safety.