Road trip cost calculator
Planning a road trip? Enter your destination distance, your car's fuel economy, and the gas price to see the total fuel cost and how much each person owes.
Total fuel cost
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Cost per person
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Fuel used
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Cost per mile
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Formula
Fuel used (gal) = Distance (mi) ÷ MPG
Total fuel cost = Fuel used × Price per gallon
Cost per person = Total cost ÷ Passengers
Cost per mile = Total cost ÷ Distance
Example
300-mile trip, 30 MPG, $3.50/gallon, 2 passengers:
Fuel used = 300 / 30 = 10 gallons
Total cost = 10 × $3.50 = $35.00
Cost per person = $35.00 / 2 = $17.50
Cost per mile = $35.00 / 300 ≈ $0.117
References
- Trip Calculator — fuel cost estimatorU.S. Department of Energy / EPA (FuelEconomy.gov) · fueleconomy.gov
- Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update — weekly retail fuel pricesU.S. Energy Information Administration · eia.gov
Frequently asked
How is the fuel cost calculated?
Fuel used = distance ÷ MPG. Total cost = fuel used × price per gallon. Cost per person = total cost ÷ passengers.
What MPG should I use?
Use the EPA combined MPG for highway driving. Real-world MPG is typically 15–20% lower than the city estimate and close to the highway estimate on long trips.
Does this include tolls or food?
No — this calculator covers fuel only. Add tolls and food separately.
How do I find my car's MPG?
Fill up the tank, drive a known distance, fill up again, then divide miles driven by gallons used. Or check the EPA Fuel Economy Guide at fueleconomy.gov.
How do I share my calculation?
Click "Share with my numbers" to copy a URL with your trip details.
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