How do I calculate fuel cost for a trip?

Divide the trip distance by your vehicle's fuel economy (MPG) to get gallons needed, then multiply by the price per gallon. For example, a 300-mile trip in a 30 MPG car at $3.50/gal costs (300 ÷ 30) × $3.50 = $35.

How do I convert MPG to L/100km?

Use the formula: L/100km = 235.214 ÷ MPG. For example, 30 MPG ≈ 7.84 L/100km. The calculator handles this conversion automatically when you switch modes.

What is a good MPG for a car?

For most passenger cars, 30–40 MPG on the highway is considered good fuel economy. Hybrid vehicles typically achieve 50–60 MPG, while fuel-efficient compact cars can exceed 40 MPG.

How do I split fuel costs between passengers?

Enter the number of people sharing the trip in the "Split between" field. The calculator divides the total fuel cost equally and shows the per-person amount.

Fuel Cost Calculator

How to calculate fuel cost for a trip

Fuel cost = (Distance ÷ MPG) × Price per gallon. For metric users: Fuel cost = (Distance × L/100km ÷ 100) × Price per liter. Enter your numbers above and the calculator handles both instantly.

Common fuel cost examples

Distance	MPG	Price/gal	Total cost
100 mi	25	$3.50	$14.00
300 mi	30	$3.50	$35.00
500 mi	35	$3.50	$50.00
1,000 mi	40	$3.50	$87.50
200 km	8 L/100km	$1.60/L	$25.60
500 km	7 L/100km	$1.60/L	$56.00

MPG vs L/100km

Miles per gallon (MPG) is used in the United States and United Kingdom. A higher MPG means better fuel economy. Liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) is used in Canada, Europe, and Australia; a lower number means better economy. To convert: L/100km = 235.214 ÷ MPG.

Tips to reduce fuel costs

Maintain steady highway speeds, keep tires properly inflated, and avoid rapid acceleration. Carpooling with even one other person can halve your fuel bill. Use the split feature above.

Electric vehicle comparison

The cost per mile for an EV is: (electricity rate in $/kWh) ÷ (miles per kWh). At an average US electricity rate of $0.16/kWh and an EV efficiency of 3.5 miles/kWh, driving costs approximately $0.046/mile. At $3.50/gal and 30 MPG, a gasoline vehicle costs approximately $0.117/mile - roughly 2.5× higher. At 15,000 miles/year, the difference is about $1,065 annually in fuel savings.

Gas price impact

A $0.50/gallon price increase on a vehicle getting 30 MPG driven 15,000 miles/year adds approximately $250 per year to fuel costs. The same price increase on a 20 MPG vehicle adds $375 per year. Improving fuel economy from 20 to 30 MPG at $3.50/gallon saves more than the same $0.50/gallon fuel price decrease at 20 MPG.