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Automotive

Fuel Cost Calculator

Fuel cost for a trip, and cost per mile.

Your measurementsEvery assumption editable01
Trip fuel costCalculated live02

Result

$66.35for the trip

19.23 gallons at $3.45

Distance
500 miles
Fuel economy
26 mpg
Fuel required
19.23 gal
Fuel price
$3.45/gal
Total fuel cost
$66.35
Cost per mile
$0.133

Fuel only. Tolls, parking, wear and depreciation are real costs of a trip and none of them are here — cost per mile including everything is typically several times the fuel figure alone.

Use your own observed economy rather than the window sticker. Highway cruising at speed, a roof box, or a fully loaded vehicle each cost several miles per gallon.

For a round trip, enter the total distance rather than the one-way figure.

Distance, economy and pump price give the fuel cost of a journey. Fuel only — tolls, wear and depreciation are real costs of driving and none of them are here.

Why use this tool?What it does differently03

Why use this tool?

Cost per mile

The figure that makes journeys comparable regardless of length.

Gallons shown

How much fuel the trip actually consumes, useful for planning stops.

Use your real economy

Window-sticker figures are optimistic. Loaded, at speed, or with a roof box costs several mpg.

Honest about scope

Fuel is a fraction of true running cost once wear and depreciation are counted.

How this worksThe method04

How this fuel cost calculator works

Distance divided by fuel economy gives gallons required; multiplying by pump price gives the cost. Cost per mile follows from dividing the total by the distance.

Use observed economy rather than the manufacturer's figure. Sustained highway speed, a full load, a roof box or a trailer each cost several miles per gallon, and the official number assumes none of them.

This is fuel only. Total cost per mile including tyres, servicing, insurance and depreciation is typically several times the fuel figure alone, which is worth remembering when comparing driving against other transport.

How to use itStep by step05

How to use it

  1. Step 1: Enter the distance

    Total distance — remember to double it for a round trip.

  2. Step 2: Use your real economy

    From the mpg calculator over several tanks, not the window sticker.

  3. Step 3: Enter current pump price

    For the fuel grade you actually use.

  4. Step 4: Compare cost per mile

    The figure that lets you compare journeys of different lengths.

Example usageWorked figures06

Example usage

A long drive
500 miles at 26 mpg with fuel at $3.45 needs 19.23 gallons — $66.35, or 13.3 cents a mile.
The same trip in a truck
500 miles at 15 mpg costs $115 — 23 cents a mile, nearly double.
A daily commute
40 miles a day at 30 mpg over 250 working days is 333 gallons a year, about $1,150 at $3.45.
Frequently asked questionsCommon questions07

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate fuel cost for a trip?

Divide distance by your fuel economy to get gallons, then multiply by the pump price. Remember to double the distance for a round trip.

Should I use the manufacturer's MPG figure?

No — use your own measured economy. Official figures assume conditions most real driving does not meet, and loaded or high-speed driving costs several mpg.

What is a typical cost per mile?

Fuel alone runs roughly 10 to 25 cents a mile for most cars at current prices. Total running cost including wear, servicing and depreciation is usually several times that.

Does towing change the calculation?

Substantially. Towing can halve fuel economy, so use an observed figure while towing rather than your normal one.

Does this include tolls or parking?

No. It calculates fuel only. Tolls, parking and wear are real trip costs that have to be added separately.

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