Fuel cost calculator

How to estimate fuel costs

Calculating your trip's fuel cost is simple once you have three numbers: the distance you'll drive, your vehicle's fuel efficiency, and the current price per gallon.

• Gallons needed = Distance ÷ MPG
• Total cost = Gallons needed × Price per gallon
• Cost per person = Total cost ÷ Number of passengers

For example, a 200-mile trip with a 25 MPG car at $3.50/gal needs 8 gallons and costs $28 total, which works out to a cost per mile of $0.14. Cost per mile is the easiest way to compare two vehicles or routes on equal footing, since it strips out trip length: divide your total fuel cost by the distance driven.

Improving fuel efficiency

Your driving habits and vehicle condition have a big impact on fuel economy. Small changes can save you money on every trip:

• Drive smoothly — avoid hard acceleration and braking, which burn more fuel.
• Check tyre pressure — under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce MPG.
• Reduce weight — remove heavy items from your boot or cargo area when not needed.
• Use cruise control — maintaining a steady speed on motorways improves efficiency.
• Limit AC use — air conditioning increases engine load, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

Combined, these habits can improve your MPG by 10–25%, which adds up to significant savings over a year of driving.

EV vs gas comparison

Electric vehicles (EVs) typically cost less per mile than petrol or diesel cars because electricity is cheaper than fuel and electric motors are more efficient. However, the upfront cost of an EV is usually higher. When comparing, consider:

• Fuel cost per mile — divide the price per gallon by MPG for gas, or price per kWh divided by miles per kWh for an EV.
• Charging vs refuelling time — recharging an EV takes longer but can be done at home overnight.
• Total cost of ownership — factor in purchase price, maintenance, insurance and resale value.

Here's how a 200-mile trip compares using typical US averages (fuel and electricity prices vary by region, so use these as a starting point rather than an exact figure):

Vehicle type	Efficiency	Price	Cost per mile	200-mile trip cost
Gas car	25 MPG	$3.50/gal	$0.14	$28.00
Hybrid car	50 MPG	$3.50/gal	$0.07	$14.00
Electric vehicle	3.5 mi/kWh	$0.16/kWh	$0.05	$9.14

At these rates, an EV costs roughly a third of what a gas car costs per mile, and about half of a hybrid. The gap narrows in regions with cheap gas or expensive electricity, so it's worth plugging in your local prices with the percentage calculator to check the difference for your own commute.

Frequently asked questions

How much will my road trip cost?

Divide your trip distance by your vehicle's MPG to get the gallons needed, then multiply by the current fuel price. Use the calculator above for an instant answer including cost per person.

How do I calculate fuel costs?

Gallons = Distance ÷ MPG. Total cost = Gallons × Price per gallon. Cost per person = Total cost ÷ Number of passengers splitting the cost.

Does driving faster use more fuel?

Yes. Fuel efficiency typically peaks around 50–60 mph and drops sharply above that. Driving at 75 mph instead of 65 mph can reduce your MPG by 10–15%, increasing your fuel cost.