Gasoline & Diesel Cost Calculator – Fuel Trip Expenses
Calculate fuel costs for gasoline and diesel trips
How to Use
- Select fuel type (gasoline or diesel)
- Enter the total distance of your trip
- Input your vehicle's fuel consumption rate
- Enter current fuel price per liter or gallon
- Click calculate to see total fuel cost and breakdown
Understanding Fuel Consumption
Fuel consumption is measured differently around the world. In most countries, it's expressed as liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), while in the United States, it's measured as miles per gallon (MPG).
Lower L/100km values indicate better fuel efficiency, while higher MPG values indicate better efficiency. A typical modern car consumes between 5-8 L/100km (29-47 MPG).
Gasoline vs Diesel: Cost Comparison
When comparing gasoline and diesel costs, consider these factors:
- Diesel engines typically have 20-30% better fuel efficiency than gasoline engines
- Diesel fuel often costs more per liter/gallon than gasoline
- Diesel vehicles usually have higher purchase prices
- Diesel engines tend to have lower maintenance costs over time
- Long-distance drivers often benefit more from diesel vehicles
Tips to Reduce Fuel Costs
- Maintain proper tire pressure (can improve fuel economy by 3%)
- Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle
- Use cruise control on highways for consistent speed
- Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking
- Keep your engine properly maintained with regular service
- Plan routes to avoid traffic congestion
- Reduce use of air conditioning when possible
- Combine multiple errands into one trip
How to Calculate Fuel Costs
To calculate fuel costs manually, use this formula:
Fuel Needed = (Distance / 100) × Fuel Consumption (in L/100km)
Total Cost = Fuel Needed × Price per Liter
For example, if you're traveling 300 km with a consumption of 7 L/100km at $1.50 per liter: Fuel Needed = (300 / 100) × 7 = 21 liters. Total Cost = 21 × $1.50 = $31.50
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between gasoline and diesel fuel costs?
- Diesel typically costs more per liter/gallon than gasoline, but diesel engines are 20-30% more fuel-efficient. For long-distance driving, diesel often results in lower overall fuel costs despite the higher price per unit.
- How can I improve my vehicle's fuel efficiency?
- Maintain proper tire pressure, remove excess weight, avoid aggressive driving, use cruise control on highways, keep up with regular maintenance, and plan efficient routes. These practices can improve fuel efficiency by 10-30%.
- What is considered good fuel consumption?
- For modern cars, good fuel consumption is around 5-7 L/100km (34-47 MPG) for compact cars, 7-9 L/100km (26-34 MPG) for mid-size vehicles, and 9-12 L/100km (20-26 MPG) for SUVs and trucks.
- Should I choose diesel or gasoline for my vehicle?
- Choose diesel if you drive long distances regularly (over 20,000 km/year), as the better fuel efficiency offsets the higher purchase price. Choose gasoline for shorter daily commutes and lower annual mileage.