Fuel Economy Calculator
Calculate fuel consumption, trip costs, and compare vehicle efficiency
Plan your journey with our comprehensive fuel calculator. Calculate trip costs, fuel consumption, compare vehicles, and estimate your gas expenses in miles or kilometers. Perfect for road trips, daily commutes, and vehicle comparisons.
Compare fuel costs between two vehicles for the same trip.
Vehicle 1
Vehicle 2
Fuel Saving Tips
Maintain Steady Speed
Use cruise control on highways to maintain consistent speed and improve fuel efficiency by up to 14%.
Check Tire Pressure
Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by up to 3%. Check pressure monthly.
Remove Excess Weight
Every 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by 1-2%. Clear unnecessary items from your vehicle.
Reduce Drag
Remove roof racks when not in use. Aerodynamic drag can reduce fuel economy by up to 20% at highway speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this fuel calculator?
This calculator provides estimates based on the fuel efficiency and distance you provide. Actual fuel consumption may vary based on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, weather, and driving habits.
What's the difference between city and highway MPG?
City driving involves more stops and starts, which consumes more fuel. Highway driving at consistent speeds is more fuel-efficient. The slider helps you estimate consumption based on your driving mix.
How is CO₂ emission calculated?
We estimate CO₂ emissions using the EPA standard: approximately 8.89 kg of CO₂ per gallon of gasoline burned. This helps you understand the environmental impact of your trip.
Can I use this for electric vehicles?
While designed for gasoline vehicles, you can compare electric vehicles using MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and electricity costs instead of fuel prices.
What if I only know L/100km instead of MPG?
Switch to metric mode using the unit toggle. The calculator supports both imperial (MPG) and metric (L/100km) units for international users.
Understanding Fuel Economy Calculations
Our fuel economy calculator helps you estimate trip costs and fuel consumption for any journey. Whether planning a road trip, comparing vehicles, or budgeting for daily commutes, accurate fuel cost calculations help you make informed decisions and save money.
The calculator uses your vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG or L/100km), trip distance, and current fuel prices to compute total fuel costs, gallons needed, and cost per mile. Advanced features include city/highway driving mix adjustments, CO₂ emission estimates, and side-by-side vehicle comparisons.
Why Use a Fuel Calculator?
- Trip Planning: Estimate fuel costs before long road trips to budget accurately.
- Vehicle Comparison: Compare fuel economy between different vehicles before purchasing.
- Budget Management: Track commuting costs and identify savings opportunities.
- Environmental Impact: Understand your carbon footprint and make eco-friendly choices.
- Route Optimization: Calculate if alternative routes with different distances are cost-effective.
- Carpool Savings: Determine fair cost-sharing for shared rides.
How Fuel Calculations Work
Basic Fuel Consumption Formula
For imperial units (MPG): Fuel Needed (gallons) = Distance (miles) ÷ MPG
For metric units (L/100km): Fuel Needed (liters) = Distance (km) × (L/100km) ÷ 100
Total Cost Calculation
Total Cost = Fuel Needed × Fuel Price
This simple formula provides accurate cost estimates when you input correct fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
City vs Highway Adjustment
Most vehicles have different fuel efficiency ratings for city and highway driving. Highway driving typically achieves 20-30% better fuel economy due to consistent speeds. Our calculator lets you specify the percentage of city driving to provide more accurate estimates for mixed driving conditions.
Tips for Better Fuel Economy
Driving Habits
- Accelerate gradually and anticipate stops to avoid harsh braking
- Maintain speeds between 50-65 mph for optimal highway efficiency
- Avoid excessive idling - turn off engine for stops over 30 seconds
- Use air conditioning sparingly at low speeds
- Plan routes to avoid traffic congestion and rush hours
Vehicle Maintenance
- Follow manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedules
- Replace air filters regularly for optimal engine performance
- Use the correct motor oil grade specified for your vehicle
- Keep tires properly inflated to manufacturer specifications
- Replace oxygen sensors when needed for efficient combustion
- Ensure proper wheel alignment to reduce rolling resistance
Understanding Different Fuel Types
Gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels each have different energy densities and costs. Diesel engines typically achieve 20-30% better fuel economy than gasoline engines but may have higher fuel costs. Electric vehicles measure efficiency in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and typically cost less per mile to operate than gasoline vehicles.
Fuel Economy Ratings Explained
MPG (Miles Per Gallon): Standard U.S. measurement showing miles traveled per gallon of fuel consumed. Higher numbers indicate better efficiency.
L/100km (Liters per 100 kilometers): Metric measurement showing liters needed to travel 100 kilometers. Lower numbers indicate better efficiency.
MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent): Used for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, comparing energy consumption to gasoline equivalents.
Advanced Trip Planning
Effective trip planning involves more than just fuel costs. Consider accommodation, food, tolls, and vehicle wear. For long trips, factor in rest stops every 2-3 hours for safety. Compare costs between driving and alternative transportation like flights or trains for very long distances.
Seasonal Considerations
Fuel economy varies by season. Winter conditions can reduce MPG by 15-25% due to cold engine operation, increased idling, and winter-blend gasoline. Summer heat and air conditioning use can reduce fuel economy by 10-20%. Plan for these seasonal variations when budgeting for trips.
Choosing Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
When comparing vehicles, consider total cost of ownership beyond just purchase price. A vehicle with better fuel economy may cost more upfront but save thousands in fuel costs over its lifetime. Use our vehicle comparison tool to calculate breakeven points and long-term savings.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles combine gasoline engines with electric motors for improved efficiency, typically achieving 40-60 MPG. Plug-in hybrids offer electric-only ranges of 20-50 miles. Full electric vehicles eliminate gas costs entirely but require consideration of charging infrastructure and electricity rates.