Fuel & Efficiency Calculator
Road Trip Cost Calculator
Plan your road trip budget. Calculate total fuel cost, cost per person, driving time, and number of fill-ups for any route.
Popular US Routes (click to fill)
Trip Details
Total Fuel Cost
for the full trip
Cost Per Person
$31
Driving Time
7h 41m
Gallons Needed
17.9
Fill-up Stops
2
Cost Breakdown
Road trip planning tips.
How much does a road trip cost per mile?
At $3.45/gallon and 28 MPG, fuel costs about $0.12 per mile. Including wear (tires, oil, etc.) adds another $0.05–0.10 per mile. AAA estimates total vehicle operating cost at $0.18–0.25 per mile for a typical midsize car.
When should I fill up during a road trip?
Fill up when your tank drops to the 1/4-full mark. Waiting until empty creates range anxiety and can strand you between stations in rural areas. On interstates, gas stations typically appear every 30–50 miles.
Is driving or flying cheaper for a road trip?
For 1–2 people over 500 miles, flying often costs less when you factor in time, hotels, and food. For 3+ people, driving is almost always cheaper. The crossover point is typically around 400–600 miles depending on car size.