Fuel Cost Calculator

What Is a Fuel Cost Calculator?

A fuel cost calculator estimates how much fuel a vehicle is likely to use during a journey and how much that fuel will cost. The calculation uses the journey distance, the vehicle's fuel consumption and the price paid for fuel.

This can be useful when planning road trips, estimating commuting expenses, comparing journey costs or working out an approximate fuel budget before travelling. The calculator supports both litres per 100 kilometres and UK miles per imperial gallon.

Why Use the Fuel Cost Calculator?

Calculating fuel costs before a journey can help you estimate travel expenses and understand how distance and fuel efficiency affect the overall cost of driving.

How to Use the Fuel Cost Calculator

Enter the details for your journey and vehicle, then select the appropriate measurement units before calculating the estimated cost.

1. Enter the journey distance — Enter the total distance you expect to travel and select kilometres or miles.
2. Enter fuel consumption — Enter your vehicle's fuel consumption figure and select L/100 km or UK MPG.
3. Enter the fuel price — Enter the price you pay for one litre of fuel.
4. Calculate the cost — Select "Calculate Fuel Cost" to see the estimated fuel required, total fuel cost, cost per kilometre and fuel economy.

How to Calculate Fuel Cost for a Journey

Fuel cost depends primarily on the distance travelled, the vehicle's fuel consumption and the price of fuel. For a vehicle using litres per 100 kilometres, estimated fuel usage can be calculated by multiplying the journey distance in kilometres by the consumption figure and dividing the result by 100.

For example, a vehicle that uses 6 litres per 100 kilometres travelling 250 kilometres would use approximately 15 litres of fuel. If fuel costs £1.50 per litre, the estimated fuel cost would therefore be £22.50.

Understanding L/100 km

Litres per 100 kilometres, written as L/100 km, indicates how many litres of fuel a vehicle uses to travel 100 kilometres. A lower L/100 km figure generally represents better fuel efficiency because the vehicle requires less fuel to cover the same distance.

Understanding UK MPG

UK MPG means miles per imperial gallon and is commonly used to describe vehicle fuel economy in the United Kingdom. Unlike L/100 km, a higher MPG figure represents better fuel efficiency because the vehicle can travel further using the same quantity of fuel.

Fuel Cost Calculation Accuracy

The calculator provides an estimate based on the figures entered. Real-world fuel consumption can differ from a manufacturer's stated figure or a previous average because of driving style, traffic, speed, acceleration, weather, road conditions, vehicle weight, tyre pressure, air conditioning and other factors.

For the most useful estimate, use a recent fuel consumption figure that reflects your normal driving conditions and enter the actual fuel price you expect to pay. The result should be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed fuel expense.

Frequently Asked Questions