Fuel Cost Calculator – Trip and Budget Planner
Convert distance, efficiency, and fuel prices into clear per-trip and per-period costs.
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter the one-way distance you need to cover and choose miles or kilometers.
- Provide your vehicle’s fuel efficiency using mpg, km/L, or L/100 km.
- Add the current fuel price per gallon or per liter.
- Specify how many trips occur in your selected period to see budget impact.
Fuel cost fundamentals
Total fuel cost depends on three inputs: how far you drive, how efficiently your vehicle uses fuel, and the price you pay at the pump. Changing any one of these variables—such as switching to highway routes or buying fuel at wholesale clubs—can materially lower your budget.
- Distance drives total consumption. Combine errands to reduce trips.
- Efficiency matters. Proper tire pressure and smooth acceleration stretch every gallon.
- Fuel price is volatile. Tracking trends helps time fill-ups or negotiate fleet contracts.
Budgeting tips
Use the trips-per-period input to mirror real usage. Daily commutes, weekly deliveries, or monthly client visits each scale differently, and this calculator surfaces the impact instantly.
Layer in a buffer for unexpected detours or traffic by adding 5–10% to the result. Review your assumptions quarterly—fuel prices and driving patterns rarely stay static.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the calculator support round trips?
- Yes. Enter the total distance you expect to drive per trip. For a round trip, simply double the one-way distance before calculating.
- How do I use mixed units?
- Pick whichever units are easiest to source. The calculator converts everything behind the scenes, so mpg can be paired with kilometers, or L/100 km with miles.