Set the total distance
Enter the one-way distance, choose whether the trip includes the return drive, add the number of trips, and include any extra-mile buffer.
Free Driving Cost Tool
Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate how much fuel a trip will use, what it may cost, your cost per mile, and how much each passenger would pay if the trip cost is shared.
Step 1 · Enter trip details
Estimate your fuel cost
Use your expected driving distance, vehicle fuel economy, and local fuel price to build the estimate.
Quick fuel-price scenarios
See how changing fuel prices affect the trip.
These quick comparisons use your current distance and MPG while changing only the fuel price.
$3.00 per gallon
$0
Estimated total fuel cost using a $3.00 per gallon fuel price.
$4.00 per gallon
$0
Estimated total fuel cost using a $4.00 per gallon fuel price.
$5.00 per gallon
$0
Estimated total fuel cost using a $5.00 per gallon fuel price.
How the calculator works
Turn miles and MPG into a trip budget.
The calculator first determines how many miles you expect to drive, then divides that distance by your vehicle's MPG to estimate fuel use.
Estimate gallons used
Total miles are divided by the entered miles per gallon to estimate how many gallons the vehicle may use.
Convert fuel into cost
Estimated gallons are multiplied by the fuel price, then the optional traffic and idling adjustment is added to the estimate.
Method: Total driving distance equals one-way distance multiplied by two when round trip is selected, multiplied by the number of trips, plus the extra-mile allowance. Estimated gallons equal total distance divided by MPG. Base fuel cost equals gallons multiplied by price per gallon. The traffic/idling adjustment is applied as a percentage of base fuel cost. This is a planning estimate and does not predict exact real-world consumption.
Related driving tools
Keep planning your vehicle costs.
Common questions
Fuel cost calculator questions.
How do you calculate fuel cost for a trip?+
Divide the total driving distance by the vehicle's miles per gallon to estimate gallons needed, then multiply the gallons by the fuel price per gallon.
Why might actual fuel cost be different?+
Real-world fuel economy can change with traffic, speed, temperature, hills, cargo weight, tire pressure, road conditions, and driving style.
Does the calculator handle round trips?+
Yes. Select the round-trip option and the calculator doubles the entered one-way distance before applying the number of trips and extra-mile allowance.
Can I split the cost between passengers?+
Yes. Enter the number of people sharing the fuel cost and the calculator will show an estimated cost per person.
What MPG should I use?+
For planning, use the fuel economy that best matches your expected driving. Your own recent average MPG can be more representative than a general estimate if you have it.