Budget your road trip
Enter the trip distance, your car's fuel economy in MPG and the price per gallon to see the gallons needed and the total cost. Tick Round trip to double the distance, and split the cost between passengers to see what each person owes.
Traveling abroad or have a metric figure? Distances can be entered in miles or kilometers, fuel economy as US mpg, UK mpg, liters per 100 km or km per liter, and prices per US gallon, UK gallon or liter — the calculator converts everything.
How to calculate gas cost for a trip
- 1
Enter the distance
In miles or km; tick Round trip if you're coming back.
- 2
Enter your fuel economy
Your car's MPG, or another unit.
- 3
Enter the gas price
Per gallon or per liter.
- 4
Split it (optional)
Enter the number of people sharing.
Key features
MPG and metric units
US mpg, UK mpg, L/100 km and km/L.
Round trips
One tick doubles the distance.
Cost per mile
And per person.
Any currency
Dollars by default.
Common uses
- Road trips: Budget gas for a vacation drive.
- Carpools and commutes: Split costs fairly.
- Comparing cars: See yearly fuel costs for different MPG ratings.
Tips and good to know
- Tolls, parking and wear and tear aren't included. The IRS mileage rate is a good benchmark for the full cost of driving.
- Highway driving at a steady 55–65 mph and correct tire pressure noticeably improve MPG.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate gas cost for a trip?
Gallons needed = miles ÷ MPG. Cost = gallons × price per gallon. 300 miles at 28 MPG uses 10.7 gallons; at $3.50 a gallon that's $37.50.
How do I convert MPG to L/100 km?
Divide 235.2 by the MPG figure. 28 MPG is about 8.4 L/100 km. The calculator does this automatically.
Why is my real gas cost higher than the estimate?
City traffic, air conditioning, extra weight, speed and cold weather lower real-world MPG compared with the EPA rating.