Fuel Cost Calculator | Trip Fuel Cost & Consumption Estimator

📖 How to Use This Fuel Cost Calculator

Enter trip distance - Input the total distance of your journey in kilometers or miles.

Enter your vehicle's fuel efficiency - Use L/100km (liters per 100km) or MPG (miles per gallon).

Enter fuel price and currency - Current fuel price per liter or gallon in your local currency.

Enter number of passengers - To split the fuel cost among travelers.

Click "Calculate Trip Cost" - Get total fuel cost, fuel needed, cost per person, and cost per unit distance.

⛽ Understanding Fuel Efficiency Units

L/100km (Liters per 100 kilometers): Common in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Lower numbers mean better fuel efficiency. Example: 8 L/100km means the vehicle uses 8 liters of fuel to travel 100km.
MPG (Miles per Gallon): Common in USA and UK. Higher numbers mean better fuel efficiency. Example: 30 MPG means the vehicle can travel 30 miles on 1 gallon of fuel.

📊 Fuel Consumption Formula

For L/100km:
Fuel Needed (L) = (Fuel Efficiency × Distance in km) ÷ 100
Total Cost = Fuel Needed × Fuel Price per Liter

For MPG:
Fuel Needed (gal) = Distance in miles ÷ Fuel Efficiency
Total Cost = Fuel Needed × Fuel Price per Gallon

💡 Tips to Reduce Fuel Costs

Maintain proper tire pressure: Under-inflated tires increase fuel consumption by up to 3%
Drive smoothly: Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking
Reduce speed: Fuel efficiency drops sharply above 65 mph (105 km/h)
Remove excess weight: Extra 100 lbs reduces MPG by about 1%
Use cruise control: Maintains steady speed on highways
Combine trips: Plan errands to avoid multiple cold starts
Compare fuel prices: Use apps like GasBuddy to find cheaper stations

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I convert between L/100km and MPG?

To convert MPG to L/100km: 235.214 ÷ MPG. To convert L/100km to MPG: 235.214 ÷ L/100km. Our calculator handles both units automatically.

What is a good fuel efficiency for a car?

Good fuel efficiency varies by vehicle type: Small cars: 6-8 L/100km (30-40 MPG); SUVs: 9-12 L/100km (20-26 MPG); Trucks: 11-15 L/100km (15-21 MPG); Hybrids: 4-5 L/100km (50-60 MPG); Electric vehicles: equivalent 1.5-2.5 L/100km.

Does driving faster use more fuel?

Yes! Most vehicles achieve optimal fuel efficiency at 50-65 km/h (30-40 mph) and efficiency drops significantly above 80 km/h (50 mph). Driving at 120 km/h (75 mph) can use 20-30% more fuel than at 90 km/h (55 mph).

How does air conditioning affect fuel consumption?

AC can increase fuel consumption by 5-20% depending on conditions. At highway speeds, using AC is more efficient than opening windows due to aerodynamic drag. At lower speeds, windows may be better.

What is the most fuel-efficient speed?

Most vehicles achieve peak fuel efficiency between 50-65 km/h (30-40 mph). For highway driving, 80-90 km/h (50-55 mph) is typically optimal. Every 8 km/h (5 mph) over 80 km/h adds about $0.20-0.30 per gallon in fuel cost.