Travel

Trip Fuel Cost

Calculate total fuel cost for a road trip based on distance and fuel economy.

Whether you're planning a cross-country drive or comparing the cost of driving vs flying, this calculator gives you an exact fuel cost based on your vehicle's efficiency.

Enter your numbers

Trip Distance

Distance Unit

Fuel Economy

Economy Unit

Fuel Price (per litre/gallon)

Results update as you change the inputs. Calculations run in your browser.

Total Fuel Cost

$72.25

fuel Volume: 42.5 litres
cost Per Km: $0.144/km
cost Per Hundred: $14.45/100km

See the formula

Formula and method

Cost = (Distance / 100) × L/100km × Price per Litre

Handles L/100km and MPG inputs with automatic conversion. Real-world fuel economy is typically 10-15% worse than rated due to highway speed, A/C, and load.

Worked examples

Toronto to Montreal (545 km)

Trip Distance:: 545
Distance Unit:: Kilometers (km)
Fuel Economy:: 9
Economy Unit:: L/100km
Fuel Price (per litre/gallon):: 1.65

Total Fuel Cost: $80.93

US road trip, MPG

Trip Distance:: 800
Distance Unit:: Miles (mi)
Fuel Economy:: 28
Economy Unit:: MPG
Fuel Price (per litre/gallon):: 3.5

Total Fuel Cost: $378.50

Assumptions and limits

Constant fuel economy throughout
No idling or stop-and-go traffic

This tool provides an educational estimate. Rules, rates and personal circumstances can change the answer. Review the assumptions before relying on a result. Report a correction.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using rated fuel economy — real-world consumption is 10-15% worse, especially at highway speeds.
Forgetting return trip — multiply one-way cost by 2 unless doing a loop.
Not accounting for fuel price variation — prices differ significantly across provinces and states.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert L/100km to MPG?

235.2 / L/100km = MPG. So 8L/100km = 235.2/8 = 29.4 MPG. And MPG to L/100km: 235.2 / MPG = L/100km.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly for a 500km trip?

Generally, flying wins for solo travelers on routes over 400-500km when you factor in time value. Driving wins for families of 4+ where the per-person cost drops significantly.