Fuel Cost Calculator
What a trip costs in gas
Planning a drive? Enter the distance, your vehicle's MPG and the gas price to see what the trip costs in fuel.
Cutting fuel costs
Fuel cost is distance ÷ MPG × price. Steady speeds, proper tire pressure and less idling all improve MPG. Use the cost-per-mile figure to compare vehicles or to set mileage reimbursement.
What really moves your MPG
Fuel economy drops sharply above about 55–60 mph, with rapid acceleration and hard braking, and with a roof rack or heavy cargo. Keeping tires properly inflated, removing dead weight and combining errands into one warm-engine trip can realistically add several MPG — and every MPG shows up directly in this calculator's total.
Planning a road trip
For a long drive, multiply the round-trip distance to budget gas both ways, and remember real-world highway MPG often beats the city figure. The cost-per-mile number is also the cleanest way to compare two vehicles or to decide whether a more fuel-efficient car is worth it for your annual mileage.
Fuel Cost Calculator: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate gas cost for a trip?
Divide the distance by your MPG to get gallons, then multiply by the price per gallon.
What's a typical cost per mile for fuel?
At 25 MPG and $3.50/gal it's about $0.14 per mile, before maintenance and depreciation.
How do I estimate gas for a road trip?
Take the total round-trip distance, divide by your car's highway MPG to get gallons, and multiply by the expected gas price. Add a little extra for detours, traffic and AC use, which all lower real-world economy.