Fuel Cost Calculator
The short answer: trip cost is miles ÷ MPG × price per gallon — simple math that hides in plain sight. Enter a trip and your yearly miles and this tool prices both: what the drive in front of you costs, and what your driving habit adds up to across a year and a month.
Fuel is only one running cost
Insurance is usually the bigger one. Compare quotes for your actual car and driving record — insurance partners (Insurify / Compare.com) are the planned partners for this slot.
How this is calculated
Gallons = miles ÷ MPG. Cost = gallons × price per gallon. The round-trip option doubles the distance you enter. Annual cost uses your yearly miles with the same two steps; monthly is the annual figure divided by 12. There is no hidden model here — which is exactly why the inputs matter: use the MPG your car truly returns and the price you actually pay, not the cheapest station across town. Going further afield? The road trip calculator adds tolls and parking to the same fuel math.
Frequently asked questions
Which MPG should I enter — the sticker figure or my real one?
Your real one. EPA ratings are laboratory figures; most drivers see less, especially in cold weather, short trips, or heavy traffic. Your trip computer's average or a few fill-ups of math (miles driven ÷ gallons bought) gives the number your wallet actually experiences — often 10–20% below the window sticker.
How do I calculate fuel cost for a trip?
Divide the trip's miles by your car's MPG to get gallons, then multiply by the price per gallon. A 600-mile round trip at 30 MPG uses 20 gallons; at $3.50 that's $70. This calculator does exactly that, and adds your yearly picture alongside.
Why is my annual fuel bill higher than I expected?
Because small numbers compound: $3.50 a gallon feels minor per fill-up, but 12,000 miles at 30 MPG is 400 gallons — $1,400 a year. The monthly figure this tool shows is the one to compare against transit passes, carpooling, or a more efficient car.