Planning a trip or comparing cars? This calculator estimates what you'll spend on fuel based on distance, your vehicle's fuel economy, and the price per gallon. Enter your numbers below to see your estimated total fuel cost.
Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate how much the vehicle will cost to fuel.
Actual fuel use changes with weather, driving style, traffic, idling and vehicle condition.
How fuel cost is calculated
Fuel cost = (distance ÷ miles per gallon) × price per gallon. Dividing distance by MPG gives the gallons you'll use, and multiplying by the price gives the total.
Worked example
Say you're driving 300 miles in a car that gets 25 MPG, and gas costs $3.50 per gallon.
- Gallons used: 300 ÷ 25 = 12 gallons
- Total cost: 12 × $3.50 = $42
- Cost per mile: $42 ÷ 300 = $0.14
Swap in a 35 MPG car and the same trip uses about 8.6 gallons, costing roughly $30. That's why fuel economy matters when comparing used cars.
Tips for lowering fuel costs
- Keep tires properly inflated.
- Drive smoothly. Hard acceleration and braking burn more fuel.
- Remove roof racks and extra weight you don't need.
- Compare prices before you fill up.
- Keep up with maintenance, such as air filters and oil changes.
FAQ
Does this include tolls or maintenance?
No, only fuel.
Why is my real-world cost different?
City driving, towing, weather, and driving style change actual MPG.
Where do I find my car's MPG?
Check the owner's manual, the window sticker, or fueleconomy.gov.
Related: Check what a used car is worth with our used car price check before you buy.