YOUR JOURNEY, COSTED
Trip Fuel
Cost Calculator
Estimate the fuel cost of a road trip using your distance, vehicle efficiency and pump price. Choose a return journey and split the fuel bill between travellers.
Your distance.
Your vehicle.
Your fuel cost.
THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to calculate trip fuel cost
Kilometres and litres
Fuel needed = total km × L/100 km ÷ 100
Fuel cost = litres needed × price per litre
Lower L/100 km means less fuel used for the same distance.
Miles and U.S. gallons
Fuel needed = total miles ÷ U.S. MPG
Fuel cost = U.S. gallons needed × price per U.S. gallon
Higher MPG means less fuel used for the same distance. Imperial MPG uses a different gallon size.
Return journeys and sharing
Return distance = one-way distance × 2
Cost per person = trip fuel cost ÷ people sharing
Cost per kilometre or mile divides fuel cost by the total journey distance. Calculations use full precision before rounding displayed results.
Canadian example: a 600 km journey
At 600 km one way, 7 L/100 km and CAD1.60/L, the journey uses 42 litres and costs CAD67.20 in fuel. The same return journey totals 1,200 km and costs CAD134.40. Split equally between four people, the return fuel bill is CAD33.60 each.
U.S. example: a 300 mile journey
At 300 miles one way, 30 U.S. MPG and USD3.50 per U.S. gallon, the journey uses 10 U.S. gallons and costs USD35.00 in fuel. A return journey at the same efficiency and fuel price costs USD70.00.
Both examples are illustrative calculations, not current average fuel prices or model-specific vehicle ratings.
Use assumptions that fit your journey
Weather, speed, traffic, hills, towing and vehicle load can change fuel use. Replace the example efficiency with a realistic figure for your route. If the outward and return legs differ, calculate each leg separately and add the fuel costs.
The tool assumes one fuel price and one efficiency figure for the whole journey. It does not estimate a route, fetch pump prices or predict every ownership expense. Changing currency changes the label without applying an exchange rate.
Trip fuel cost questions
Should I enter one-way or total distance?
Enter the distance in one direction and choose One way or Round trip / return. The return option doubles the entered distance. For unequal legs or a journey with several stops, add the full route distance yourself and select One way.
What does the cost per person include?
It divides the estimated fuel cost equally between the people sharing. It does not include tolls, parking or other trip costs. Enter only the number of people who will contribute to the fuel bill.
Can I use this with a conventional hybrid?
Yes. Enter the hybrid's gasoline consumption or MPG. This version models one liquid fuel only. It does not model the electricity and gasoline split of a plug-in hybrid or charging an electric vehicle.
Where should I find my vehicle's fuel rating?
Use your actual fuel-use records or the correct model year, trim and drivetrain in official vehicle ratings. Choose an efficiency that reflects your expected journey rather than assuming every trip matches a combined test rating.
Check your inputs and compare more costs
- Natural Resources Canada fuel-consumption ratings
- U.S. DOE and EPA Trip Calculator
- EV vs Gas vs Hybrid Cost Calculator
- Hybrid vs Gas Cost Calculator
- Methodology & Data Sources
- Driving cost guides
The calculator processes inputs in your browser. It does not save your trip entries or send them to a calculation service. General site analytics are covered by the site's privacy policy.
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Plan your road trip fuel budget
See Canadian and U.S. worked examples, compare fuel-price assumptions and learn how to split fuel and other shared travel expenses.
Need a fuel-efficiency figure? Learn how to calculate MPG and L/100 km from refill records before entering your vehicle’s consumption.