Road Trip Cost Calculator
Estimate the fuel cost of a road trip from the distance, your car's fuel economy and the price of fuel, then split it between the people in the car. Change any number and the answer follows.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Gallons needed is the distance divided by miles per gallon. Multiply that by the price per gallon for the fuel cost, then divide by the number of people to share it.
This counts fuel only. Tolls, parking, meals and wear on the car are not included, and most trips use more fuel in traffic or on hills.
Worked example
A trip of 800 mi at 28 miles per gallon uses about 28.6 of fuel. At $3.60 a gallon, the fuel costs $102.86, which is $51.43 each for 2 people.
Questions
Where do I find my car's mpg?
Check the fuel economy label, the owner's manual, or the trip computer after a fill-up. Your own record from recent fill-ups is the most accurate.
Should I use the highway or the city figure?
Use the highway figure for a long trip, and lower it a little for mountains, heavy loads or stop-and-go traffic.
Does a roof box change the cost?
Yes. Roof boxes and heavy loads cut fuel economy, so enter a lower mpg than normal to be realistic.
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