ganak.appFuel Cost Calculator
Calculate fuel costs for any trip. Enter distance, fuel efficiency, and gas price to estimate travel expenses, cost per mile, and monthly fuel budget.
Trip Breakdown
Per-trip metrics and recurring cost projections
Cost Comparison by Vehicle Type
Same trip, different vehicles (using average defaults)
| Vehicle | Trip Cost |
|---|---|
Gasoline Your inputs | $14 |
Diesel 30 mpg @ 3.8/gal | $12.67 |
Electric (EV) 30 kWh/100mi @ 0.14/kWh | $4.2 |
Hybrid 50 mpg + 30 kWh, 50/50 | $5.6 |
CNG 15 mi/kg @ 2.5/kg | $16.67 |
What is a Fuel Cost Calculator?
Plan your travel budget with accuracy
A fuel cost calculator estimates how much you will spend on fuel or energy for a trip based on the distance, your vehicle's efficiency, and current fuel or electricity prices. It supports gasoline, diesel, electric (EV), hybrid, and CNG vehicles, making it useful for any driver regardless of what they drive.
Whether you are planning a daily commute, a cross-country road trip, or comparing the running costs of an EV versus a gasoline car, this calculator gives you a quick and reliable estimate. It also helps you understand your cost per mile (or cost per kilometer) and compare costs across different vehicle types.
How to Calculate Fuel Cost
Formulas for different vehicle types
Inputs
- Distance: 300 miles
- Efficiency: 25 mpg
- Gas price: $3.50/gal
Result
12 gal × $3.50
$42.00
Inputs
- Distance: 300 miles
- Consumption: 30 kWh/100mi
- Electricity: $0.14/kWh
Result
90 kWh × $0.14
$12.60
Splits the trip by your electric drive percentage. Each portion is calculated separately and added together.
Efficiency measured in distance per kilogram of compressed natural gas.
EV vs Gas: Understanding the Cost Difference
Why electric vehicles cost less per mile to run
Electric
$4.20
per 100 miles
30 kWh/100mi @ $0.14/kWh
Gasoline
$14.00
per 100 miles
25 mpg @ $3.50/gal
EVs cost roughly 3x less per mile than gasoline cars. The key metric is kWh per 100 miles — lower is better. Efficient models achieve 25 kWh/100mi, while larger EVs may use 40+.
Home charging is cheapest (especially off-peak). Public DC fast charging at $0.30–$0.60/kWh narrows the gap with gasoline. Use the vehicle comparison chart above for your exact trip.
Tips to Reduce Fuel Costs
Practical ways to save money on fuel
Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce efficiency by 3–5%.
3–5% savingsAbove 50 mph, each extra 5 mph costs roughly 7% more fuel. Most vehicles peak around 45–55 mph.
Up to 25% savingsAvoid rapid acceleration and hard braking — saves 15–30% on highways.
15–30% savingsAC puts extra load on the engine. At lower speeds, open windows instead.
5–10% savingsEvery extra 100 lbs (45 kg) reduces fuel efficiency by about 1%.
~1% per 100 lbsUse GPS for the shortest route. Avoid congestion and peak traffic hours.
Time + fuelOil changes, air filters, and spark plug checks keep your engine efficient.
PreventiveOn highways, cruise control maintains constant speed and reduces fuel waste.
Highway tipUnderstanding Fuel Efficiency Units
mpg vs km/L vs L/100km vs kWh/100mi explained
Fuel efficiency is measured differently around the world and across vehicle types. Understanding these units helps you compare vehicles and calculate costs accurately:
| Unit | Used In / For | Higher = Better? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| mpg | US, UK (gas/diesel) | Yes | 25 mpg |
| km/L | India, Japan, Asia | Yes | 15 km/L |
| L/100km | Europe, Australia | No (lower is better) | 6.5 L/100km |
| kWh/100mi | EVs (US) | No (lower is better) | 30 kWh/100mi |
| kWh/100km | EVs (metric) | No (lower is better) | 18 kWh/100km |
| km/kg | CNG vehicles | Yes | 24 km/kg |
Quick conversions:
1 mpg ≈ 0.425 km/L • 1 km/L ≈ 2.352 mpg
To convert L/100km to km/L: divide 100 by the L/100km value.
Fuel Cost Calculator FAQ
Common questions about calculating fuel costs