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Fuel Cost Calculator

Estimate the fuel cost of a trip, the cost per mile, and each person’s share.

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Enter your local fuel price. Real fuel economy changes with speed, traffic, load and weather.

Quick Answer

Divide the distance by your car’s MPG to get gallons, then multiply by the price per gallon. A 300-mile trip at 25 MPG uses 12 gallons, which costs $42.00 at $3.50 a gallon, or $0.14 a mile.

Last updated: 2 November 2026 · How we calculate this: distance, MPG and price formula

Table of Contents

How This Fuel Cost Calculator Works

Enter your distance, your car’s fuel economy and the fuel price. The calculator shows the fuel you need, the trip cost, the cost per mile, and the cost per person if you are sharing.

Quick explanation: fuel cost = distance ÷ MPG × price per gallon.

  • MPG: miles per gallon for your car.
  • Trip type: round trip doubles the distance.
  • People: splits the total evenly.

Core Formulas

  • Gallons: distance ÷ MPG
  • Fuel cost: gallons × price per gallon
  • Cost per mile: fuel cost ÷ distance
  • Cost per person: fuel cost ÷ people

Worked Example

Three friends take a 240-mile round trip in a car that gets 30 MPG. Fuel is $3.60 a gallon.

  • Gallons = 240 ÷ 30 = 8
  • Cost = 8 × $3.60 = $28.80
  • Each person pays $9.60

What Changes Your Fuel Cost

  • Speed: fuel economy usually falls at high speeds.
  • Load: extra weight and roof racks use more fuel.
  • Traffic: stop-and-go driving often uses more fuel.
  • Tire pressure: keep it at the level your car’s maker recommends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Divide the distance by your MPG to get gallons, then multiply by the fuel price.

At 25 MPG and $3.50 a gallon, it costs $14.00. Enter your own numbers above.

It is your fuel cost divided by the distance. It covers fuel only, not insurance or repairs.

Check your manual or dashboard, or work it out with our Gas Mileage Calculator.

No. It estimates fuel only.

References & Sources

SourceUsed ForLink
U.S. Department of Energy, FuelEconomy.gov Fuel economy figures and driving tips. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/