Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate gas cost for any trip based on distance and MPG
Calculate exactly how much gas will cost for any trip. Enter your distance, vehicle MPG, and current gas price to get total fuel cost, gallons needed, and cost per mile. Includes quick presets for common vehicles and trip types.
Quick example: A 300-mile trip in a car getting 25 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon costs $42.00. You will need 12 gallons of gas, and your cost per mile is $0.14.
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Trip Fuel Cost Calculator
How to Use This Fuel Cost Calculator
- Enter your trip distance — Total miles you plan to drive (one way or round trip).
- Enter your vehicle's MPG — Check your owner's manual or use our vehicle presets. Combined city/highway MPG is the most accurate for mixed driving.
- Enter the gas price — Use the current price per gallon at your local station. The U.S. national average in 2026 is approximately $3.40-$3.60/gallon.
The formula: Total Cost = (Distance / MPG) x Price Per Gallon
The Formula Explained
Gallons Needed = Distance (miles) / MPG
Total Cost = Gallons Needed x Price Per Gallon
Cost Per Mile = Total Cost / Distance
Example: 300 miles / 25 MPG = 12 gallons x $3.50 = $42.00 total. Cost per mile = $42 / 300 = $0.14/mile.
Average MPG by Vehicle Type (2026)
| Vehicle Type | Average MPG | Cost per Mile* | Annual Fuel Cost** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car | 32 MPG | $0.11 | $1,313 |
| Sedan | 28 MPG | $0.13 | $1,500 |
| SUV | 24 MPG | $0.15 | $1,750 |
| Pickup Truck | 20 MPG | $0.18 | $2,100 |
| Hybrid | 45 MPG | $0.08 | $933 |
| Minivan | 22 MPG | $0.16 | $1,909 |
*At $3.50/gallon. **Based on 12,000 miles per year.
Tips for Reducing Fuel Costs
- Maintain proper tire pressure. Under-inflated tires reduce MPG by 0.2% for every 1 PSI below optimal. Check monthly.
- Drive at moderate speeds. Every 5 MPH above 50 is like paying an additional $0.20/gallon. Cruise control on highways saves 7-14%.
- Remove excess weight. Every 100 lbs reduces MPG by about 1%. Clean out that trunk.
- Use gas price apps. GasBuddy and Waze can save $0.10-$0.30 per gallon by finding cheaper stations.
- Plan your route. Avoid stop-and-go traffic when possible. Highway driving is 20-30% more fuel-efficient than city driving.
Sources
- Fuel cost formula: Basic physics (energy = distance / efficiency x price)
- Average MPG data: EPA Fuel Economy Guide 2026
- Fuel saving tips: fueleconomy.gov (U.S. Department of Energy)
Related Calculators
- Gas Mileage Calculator — Calculate your actual MPG from miles driven and gallons used
- Electricity Cost Calculator — Calculate EV charging costs as an alternative
- Unit Converter — Convert miles to kilometers and gallons to liters
Perguntas Frequentes
Divide your total trip distance by your vehicle MPG to get gallons needed, then multiply by the price per gallon. Formula: Total Cost = (Distance / MPG) x Price Per Gallon. For example, a 500-mile trip at 25 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon: 500 / 25 = 20 gallons x $3.50 = $70.00.
Average combined MPG by vehicle type in 2026: Compact car 32 MPG, sedan 28 MPG, SUV 24 MPG, pickup truck 20 MPG, hybrid 45 MPG, minivan 22 MPG. Check your specific vehicle at fueleconomy.gov for exact EPA-rated MPG. Real-world MPG is typically 10-15% lower than EPA estimates.
At the national average gas price of $3.50/gallon and average car MPG of 28: 1,000 / 28 = 35.7 gallons x $3.50 = $125.00. In a truck at 20 MPG: $175.00. In a hybrid at 45 MPG: $77.78. The actual cost varies significantly based on your specific vehicle, driving conditions, and local gas prices.
City driving uses more fuel due to frequent stopping and starting, idling, and acceleration from zero. Highway MPG is typically 20-30% better than city MPG. However, speeds above 50 MPH become less efficient — every 5 MPH over 50 is like paying an extra $0.20/gallon. Optimal fuel economy is usually at 45-55 MPH.
Top fuel-saving tips: maintain proper tire pressure (saves 0.6-3%), remove excess weight (every 100 lbs costs 1% MPG), use cruise control on highways (saves 7-14%), avoid aggressive driving (saves 15-30%), and keep your engine tuned (saves up to 4%). Air conditioning reduces MPG by 5-10%, but opening windows at highway speeds is worse.
The average American drives 12,000-15,000 miles per year. At 28 MPG average and $3.50/gallon, annual fuel cost is approximately $1,500-$1,875. For trucks at 20 MPG: $2,100-$2,625. For hybrids at 45 MPG: $933-$1,167. Electric vehicles cost roughly $500-$700 per year in electricity.
To convert MPG to L/100km: divide 235.215 by the MPG value. For example, 25 MPG = 235.215 / 25 = 9.41 L/100km. To convert back: L/100km to MPG = 235.215 / L/100km. Lower L/100km is more efficient (opposite of MPG where higher is better).
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