Fuel Consumption Calculator

Fuel Consumption & Trip Cost Calculator Explained

This fuel calculator estimates how much fuel your car will use and how much a trip will cost based on distance, fuel economy and fuel price. It can work with miles per gallon (MPG) or liters per 100 km, depending on what you enter.

How fuel usage is calculated

Basic idea:

• Distance × fuel consumption per mile (or per km) = total fuel used
• Total fuel used × fuel price = total trip cost

For MPG (miles per gallon):

Fuel used (gallons) = Distance (miles) ÷ MPG
Trip cost = Fuel used × Price per gallon

For L/100km (liters per 100 kilometers):

Fuel used (liters) = Distance (km) × (Liters per 100km ÷ 100)
Trip cost = Fuel used × Price per liter

Example trip cost (US MPG)

• Trip distance: 420 miles
• Car fuel economy: 28 MPG
• Gas price: $3.80 per gallon

Fuel used = 420 ÷ 28 = 15 gallons
Trip cost = 15 × 3.80 = $57.00

The calculator shows total fuel used, trip cost, and cost per mile or per kilometer.

Example fuel usage (L/100km)

• Trip distance: 600 km
• Consumption: 7.5 L/100km
• Fuel price: 1.70 €/L

Fuel used = 600 × (7.5 ÷ 100) = 45 L
Trip cost = 45 × 1.70 = 76.50 €

This is useful for European-style fuel units.

What this calculator helps with

• Estimating road trip fuel cost
• Comparing two cars by real fuel expenses
• Budgeting commuting cost per week or per month
• Calculating reimbursement rates for business travel

How to reduce fuel cost

• Drive at steady speeds and avoid aggressive acceleration
• Keep tires properly inflated
• Remove unnecessary weight and roof racks
• Combine trips to reduce cold starts
• Consider more efficient vehicles or carpooling

FAQ

Is manufacturer MPG accurate?
Real-world fuel economy is often lower than rated MPG due to driving style, weather and traffic.

Can I calculate cost per mile?
Yes – divide total trip cost by distance to see cost per mile or per kilometer.

Does this include tolls, parking or maintenance?
No – it focuses only on fuel usage and fuel cost.

This fuel consumption calculator helps you understand real travel costs and compare vehicles based on fuel efficiency.