Estimate the fuel needed and cost for any trip.
Computed locally in your browser.
How do you calculate the fuel cost of a trip?
Fuel used (litres) = distance (km) ÷ 100 × consumption (L/100 km), then cost = litres × price per litre, with all units converted to a common base first. Real consumption varies with speed, load, traffic and terrain, so treat the result as a close estimate. A 500 km trip at 7 L/100 km with fuel at 1.60 uses 35 litres and costs about 56.
Understanding your result
Real consumption varies with speed, load, traffic and terrain, so treat the result as a close estimate.
Formula and method
Everything converts to a common base: fuel used (litres) = distance (km) ÷ 100 × consumption (L/100 km); cost = litres × price per litre.
Assumptions and limitations
The result is a close estimate, not an exact figure, because real consumption shifts with speed, load, traffic, terrain, weather and driving style. The tool assumes the average consumption you enter holds for the whole trip and prices stay constant. It does not include tolls, parking or vehicle wear, only fuel.
Worked example
A 500 km trip at 7 L/100 km with fuel at 1.60 per litre uses 35 litres and costs about 56.
How to use this tool
- Enter the trip distance and its unit.
- Enter your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and unit.
- Enter the fuel price per litre or gallon.
- Press Calculate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing units — make sure each unit selector matches your figure.
- Confusing US gallons with imperial gallons.
About the Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate how much fuel a journey needs and what it will cost, in your choice of metric or imperial units.
Who should use this tool
For drivers and planners budgeting a journey: commuters comparing routes, families costing a road trip, delivery and business drivers estimating expenses, and anyone splitting fuel with passengers. Enter distance, consumption and price in metric or imperial units to see the fuel needed and the likely cost.
Benefits
- Estimates both fuel used and total cost together
- Works in metric or imperial units to suit you
- Converts everything to a common base for accuracy
- Quick, free and private in your browser
Practical use cases
- Budgeting fuel for an upcoming road trip
- Comparing the cost of two possible routes
- Working out a fair fuel split among passengers
- Estimating monthly commuting fuel expenses
Explore all Travel and Vehicle tools
Frequently asked questions
Does it use US or imperial gallons?
The gallon options use US gallons (3.785 litres).
Why might my real fuel cost differ from the estimate?
The calculation assumes the consumption figure you enter applies evenly across the whole trip and that the price stays fixed. In practice, motorway speed, heavy loads, traffic, hills, weather and driving style all change how much fuel you burn, so treat the result as a realistic guide rather than an exact total.
Does the estimate include tolls or other travel costs?
No. It covers only the fuel needed for the distance you enter, based on your consumption and price per unit. Tolls, parking, congestion charges and vehicle wear are not part of the figure. Add those separately if you want a complete picture of what the journey will cost.