Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate the fuel cost of any trip based on distance, fuel efficiency, and local fuel price.
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The fuel cost calculator works out the cost of any road trip based on distance, your vehicle's fuel consumption, and the local fuel price. Enter how far you are driving, your vehicle's fuel efficiency in litres per 100 km (L/100km), and today's pump price — the result is the total litres used, total trip cost, and cost per 100 km. Fuel costs are one of the biggest variable expenses for car owners, yet they are rarely calculated in advance. A 500 km drive in a vehicle using 9 L/100km at $1.85/litre costs $83.25 — a meaningful amount to plan for, especially on a multi-day trip with multiple legs. Knowing the fuel cost also helps you compare options: is it cheaper to drive or fly? Is sharing a car worth coordinating around? The calculator uses L/100km — the standard fuel consumption measure in Australia, Europe, and Canada. If your vehicle shows fuel economy in miles per gallon (MPG), divide 235 by your MPG figure to get the L/100km equivalent (e.g., 30 MPG ≈ 7.8 L/100km). US drivers can also divide 282 by the MPG figure for the UK gallon equivalent.
How to Use the Fuel Cost Calculator
The Fuel Cost Calculator is designed to give you an accurate answer in seconds. Follow these steps:
- 1Enter your distance (km) in the Distance (km) field. The minimum value is 1. The default is 100 km. Adjust this to match your specific situation.
- 2Enter your fuel efficiency (l/100km) in the Fuel Efficiency (L/100km) field. The valid range is 1 to 30. The default is 8 L/100km. Adjust this to match your specific situation.
- 3Enter your fuel price per litre in the Fuel Price per Litre field. The minimum value is 0.5. The default is $1.8. Adjust this to match your specific situation.
- 4Click Calculate to see your results instantly. The output updates as soon as you submit.
No account or sign-up required. All calculations run locally in your browser — nothing is stored or transmitted to any server.
Example Calculation
Here is what the Fuel Cost Calculator produces with its default values. Change any input above to recalculate instantly for your own figures.
Inputs
- Distance (km)100 km
- Fuel Efficiency (L/100km)8 L/100km
- Fuel Price per Litre$1.8
Results
- Fuel Used8.00 L
- Trip Cost$14.40
- Cost per 100 km$14.40
How It Works
Trip Cost = (Distance × Fuel Efficiency ÷ 100) × Fuel Price per Litre
Formula: Trip Cost = (Distance × Fuel Efficiency ÷ 100) × Fuel Price Litres Used = Distance (km) × Fuel Efficiency (L/100km) ÷ 100 Trip Cost = Litres Used × Fuel Price per Litre Cost per 100 km = Fuel Efficiency × Fuel Price Example: 350 km drive, vehicle uses 8.5 L/100km, fuel price is $1.90/litre. Litres used = 350 × 8.5 ÷ 100 = 29.75 L Trip cost = 29.75 × $1.90 = $56.53 Cost per 100 km = 8.5 × $1.90 = $16.15 For a round trip, double the distance. For multi-stop journeys, sum the individual leg distances first. Note that real-world fuel consumption typically runs 10–15% above manufacturer figures due to driving conditions, load, tyre pressure, and speed — entering the slightly higher figure from your own driving data gives a more accurate result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate fuel cost for a road trip?
Multiply your trip distance (km) by your car's fuel efficiency (L/100km), divide by 100 to get litres needed, then multiply by the fuel price per litre. For example: 600 km × 9 L/100km ÷ 100 = 54 litres × $1.85 = $99.90. Use this calculator to do the arithmetic instantly — just enter distance, efficiency, and price.
What is good fuel efficiency for a car?
Modern fuel efficiency benchmarks: excellent: under 6 L/100km (fuel-efficient small cars, hybrids). Good: 6–8 L/100km (typical sedans and small SUVs). Average: 8–11 L/100km (larger sedans, mid-size SUVs). High consumption: 11–15 L/100km (large SUVs, performance cars, older vehicles). Very high: 15+ L/100km (large trucks, V8s). Highway driving typically shows 15–20% better efficiency than urban driving due to less stop-start traffic.
How do I convert MPG to L/100km?
To convert US MPG to L/100km: divide 235.2 by your MPG figure. Example: 30 MPG = 235.2 ÷ 30 = 7.84 L/100km. To convert UK MPG (imperial gallons) to L/100km: divide 282.5 by your MPG figure. Example: 40 MPG (UK) = 282.5 ÷ 40 = 7.06 L/100km. To convert L/100km to MPG (US): divide 235.2 by your L/100km figure.
How can I reduce my fuel costs?
Practical ways to cut fuel costs: maintain correct tyre pressure (under-inflated tyres increase consumption by 3–5%); avoid aggressive acceleration and braking; use cruise control on highways; remove roof racks and heavy cargo when not needed; service the engine regularly (clean air filter, fresh spark plugs); drive at 90–100 km/h on highways rather than 120+ (aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed). Each of these can reduce fuel consumption by 2–10%, adding up to meaningful savings over a year.
Is the fuel cost calculator free?
Yes — free with no sign-up needed. Enter your trip distance, fuel efficiency, and local pump price for an instant cost estimate. All calculations run in your browser and no data is stored. For a return trip, double the distance figure, or run two separate calculations for legs with different distances.