Road Trip Cost Calculator

Divide your total trip distance by your vehicle's fuel economy (MPG or L/100km), then multiply by the current fuel price. For example, a 500-mile trip at 25 MPG needs 20 gallons. At $3.50/gallon, that's $70 in gas. This calculator handles the math for both imperial and metric units.

Highway fuel economy is typically 20-30% better than city driving. A midsize sedan gets 30-35 MPG highway, an SUV 25-30 MPG, and a truck 18-25 MPG. Driving at 55-65 mph, keeping tires inflated, and reducing weight all improve fuel economy on long trips.

The most common method is to divide total costs (gas, tolls, food, lodging) equally among all passengers. Some groups split only fuel and tolls evenly, while each person pays their own food and lodging. This calculator divides all entered costs by the number of passengers.

Driving is usually cheaper for trips under 500 miles, especially with 2+ passengers splitting costs. Flying becomes more economical for longer distances or solo travelers, once you factor in the time cost. This calculator provides a rough flight comparison to help you decide.

Budget $30-50 per person per day for a mix of fast food and sit-down restaurants. You can save by packing a cooler with snacks, sandwiches, and drinks. Eating at grocery stores and gas stations instead of restaurants can cut food costs by 30-50%.

A typical car emits about 8.9 kg of CO2 per gallon of gasoline burned (or 2.3 kg per liter). A 500-mile trip at 25 MPG produces roughly 178 kg of CO2. Carpooling reduces per-person emissions proportionally. One mature tree absorbs about 22 kg of CO2 per year.

Common forgotten costs include tolls, parking fees, vehicle maintenance before the trip, car washes, attraction entrance fees, souvenirs, and increased insurance for long trips. Budget an extra 10-20% on top of your calculated costs for unexpected expenses.