Find the fuel cost of a holiday road trip or your daily commute from distance, your car's MPG and today's gas price – and split it between riders.
By TanLabs Editorial Team · Reviewed: page results cross-checked against the free spreadsheet · Last updated · Runs in your browser – nothing you type is sent anywhere
With distance one way 250 miles, trip type: round trip, fuel economy 28 MPG, gas price 3.1 $ per gallon, people splitting the cost 1, trips per month 1 for commutes; 1 for a single trip:
Gas cost: $55.36
500 miles · 17.9 gallons · $0.11 per mile
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Miles = one-way distance × 1 (one way) or 2 (round trip). Gallons = miles ÷ MPG. Gas cost = gallons × price per gallon. Per person = cost ÷ riders. Monthly = cost × trips per month.
Formula source: Fuel cost = miles ÷ MPG × price per gallon, the method of the DOE fueleconomy.gov trip calculator. U.S. DOE fueleconomy.gov – trip calculator · U.S. EIA – gasoline and diesel fuel update
Written and checked by the TanLabs Editorial Team · Last updated
Round trips:
| Trip at $3.10 a gallon | Miles | Gallons | Gas cost | Split 4 ways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving trip, 150 mi each way, 25 MPG | 300 | 12.0 | $37.20 | $9.30 |
| Christmas road trip, 400 mi each way, 30 MPG | 800 | 26.7 | $82.67 | $20.67 |
| Same trip in an SUV at 20 MPG | 800 | 40.0 | $124.00 | $31.00 |
| Same trip in a hybrid at 50 MPG | 800 | 16.0 | $49.60 | $12.40 |
| Daily commute 20 mi each way, 22 workdays, 28 MPG | 880 | 31.4 | $97.43 | $24.36 |
The same 800-mile Christmas trip costs about $50 in a hybrid and $124 in a 20-MPG SUV – a $74 difference before tolls and food.
Use the combined MPG on fueleconomy.gov for your model, or your own number from the trip computer. Highway trips usually beat the combined figure; roof boxes, cold weather and heavy loads lower it.
Divide the fuel cost by everyone in the car, driver included. Some groups also add tolls and parking, or a few cents a mile for wear on the car.
For most cars, gas is only part of it. Depreciation, insurance, tyres and maintenance often add as much again per mile.
Any map app shows driving distance. Add a little for detours and finding parking.
The price at stations along your route. The EIA publishes weekly regional averages if you are planning ahead.
For two or more people over a few hundred miles, driving usually wins on cost. Compare total gas plus tolls with airfare, bag fees and airport transport.
Sources: U.S. DOE fueleconomy.gov – trip calculator · U.S. EIA – gasoline and diesel fuel update