Road Trip Cost Calculator: How to Calculate Fuel and Budget for Travel

To calculate road trip fuel cost, divide the total miles by your MPG, then multiply by gas price. A 500-mile trip in a car getting 30 MPG with gas at $3.50/gallon costs about $58 in fuel. For a complete budget, add tolls, meals, lodging, and activities.

Last summer I drove 2,800 miles from Chicago to Yellowstone and back, spending $412 on gas alone in my Honda CR-V averaging 28 MPG. That trip taught me that fuel is only about 40% of the real cost — tolls, food, and two nights of lodging added another $630. Planning the numbers in advance saved me from several budget surprises along the way.

Use our Road Trip Cost Calculator to instantly estimate fuel costs for any route.

How to Calculate Trip Fuel Cost

The Basic Formula

Fuel Cost = (Total Miles ÷ MPG) × Gas Price per Gallon

Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Determine total trip distance

• Use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or your GPS
• Add extra miles for detours and local driving
• Consider round trip if returning the same way

Step 2: Know your car's MPG

• Check EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov)
• Use your actual tracked MPG for accuracy (see our guide to calculating gas mileage)
• Account for highway vs. city driving mix

Step 3: Estimate gas prices along your route

• Use GasBuddy to check prices by location
• Prices vary significantly by state
• Plan fueling stops in cheaper areas

Step 4: Calculate

Example:
Distance: 800 miles (round trip)
Your MPG: 28 MPG
Gas price: $3.60/gallon

Gallons needed: 800 ÷ 28 = 28.6 gallons
Fuel cost: 28.6 × $3.60 = $103

Road Trip Cost Examples

Short Trips (Under 300 Miles)

Based on $3.50/gallon

Medium Trips (300-600 Miles)

Based on $3.50/gallon

Long Trips (600+ Miles)

Based on $3.50/gallon

Complete Road Trip Budget Calculator

Fuel is just one expense. Here's a complete trip budget framework:

Fixed Trip Costs

Variable Daily Costs

Sample Trip Budgets

Weekend Getaway (2 people, 2 nights, 400 miles round trip):

Week-Long Road Trip (4 people, 6 nights, 2,000 miles):

Gas Prices by State

Gas prices vary significantly across the US:

Typically Higher Prices (2026)

Typically Lower Prices (2026)

Splitting Costs with Passengers

Fair Split Methods

Method 1: Equal Split (Simplest)

Each person pays: Total trip cost ÷ Number of people

Method 2: Driver Discount Driver pays less since they're providing the car and doing the work:

Passengers: (Total fuel cost × 1.1) ÷ Number of passengers
Driver: Remainder

Method 3: Per-Mile Rate Passengers pay the IRS mileage rate or portion:

Passenger share: Miles × $0.67/2 × Passengers

Example Split Calculations

Road trip: 600 miles, 4 people, $90 fuel:

Apps for Splitting Costs

Popular options:

• Splitwise — Track all expenses, settle at end
• Venmo/PayPal — Quick reimbursement
• Google Sheets — Shared spreadsheet for transparency

Round Trip vs. One Way Calculations

Round Trip Planning

Simple: Double the one-way distance.

Round trip fuel = (One-way miles × 2 ÷ MPG) × Gas price

One-Way with Rental Car

If flying one way or using a one-way rental:

Sometimes flying one way + one-way rental is cheaper than the full round-trip drive. If you are financing a new vehicle for your trip, check out our car payment guide to understand the true cost of ownership.

Toll Costs by Region

Major toll routes to consider:

East Coast

Midwest/West

Driving vs. Flying: Break-Even Analysis

When is driving cheaper than flying?

Typical Break-Even Scenarios

Complete Comparison Factors

Quick Decision Framework

Drive if:

• 3+ travelers
• Distance under 600 miles
• You enjoy the journey
• You need a car at destination
• Flying is very expensive
• You drive an EV with low fuel costs (compare in our EV vs gas guide)

Fly if:

• Solo traveler over 400 miles
• Time is valuable
• Flights are cheap
• No car needed at destination
• Tolls and lodging would add up

How to Use Our Road Trip Cost Calculator

Our Road Trip Cost Calculator simplifies planning:

1. Enter start and end points — or total miles
2. Input your vehicle's MPG — actual or estimated
3. Set gas price — current or expected rate
4. Add passengers — for split calculations
5. Get results — total fuel cost, per-person share

The calculator also provides:

• Round trip toggle
• Multiple vehicle comparison
• Toll estimate suggestions
• Total trip budget framework

Money-Saving Road Trip Tips

Before You Go

1. Get a tune-up — Proper maintenance improves MPG
2. Check tire pressure — Proper inflation saves fuel
3. Remove roof racks — Unless needed, they reduce MPG
4. Pack light — Extra weight costs fuel
5. Download offline maps — Avoid data charges

On the Road

1. Use GasBuddy — Find cheapest gas en route
2. Fill up in cheaper states — Plan strategically
3. Drive the speed limit — 55-65 mph is most efficient
4. Use cruise control — Maintains steady fuel consumption
5. Combine stops — Fewer starts from cold engine

For Overnight Stops

1. Book ahead — Better rates than walk-in
2. Use rewards programs — Hotel points add up
3. Consider non-hotel options — Airbnb, campgrounds
4. Pack breakfast items — Skip expensive hotel breakfast

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate gas cost for a trip?

Divide your total trip distance by your car's MPG, then multiply by the gas price. Example: 500 miles ÷ 30 MPG × $3.50 = $58.33 in fuel costs.

How much does it cost to drive 1,000 miles?

At 28 MPG and $3.50/gallon, 1,000 miles costs about $125 in fuel. At 25 MPG, it's $140. At 35 MPG, it's $100. Actual costs depend on your vehicle's efficiency and gas prices.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly?

It depends on distance and number of travelers. Solo travelers usually break even around 300-400 miles. For 3+ people, driving is often cheaper up to 800+ miles. Calculate total costs for both options.

How do I split gas money fairly?

The simplest method is dividing total fuel cost by number of passengers. Alternatively, passengers can pay and driver rides free (since they provide the car). Use apps like Splitwise for accuracy.

How much should I budget per day for a road trip?

Budget $100-$200 per person per day including lodging, meals, activities, and your share of fuel. This varies widely based on accommodation choices and dining preferences.

How can I reduce road trip fuel costs?

Maintain proper tire pressure, remove unnecessary weight, drive at moderate speeds (55-65 mph), use cruise control, and strategically fill up in states with lower gas prices.

Related Calculators

• Gas Mileage Calculator — Calculate your true MPG
• Car Payment Calculator — Compare vehicle ownership costs
• Budget Calculator — Plan overall travel budget

Conclusion

Planning road trip costs before you go prevents budget surprises and helps you decide whether driving makes financial sense. The fuel calculation is simple — miles ÷ MPG × price — but don't forget tolls, meals, and lodging for a complete picture.

Use our Road Trip Cost Calculator to instantly estimate fuel costs for your next adventure. With proper planning, road trips can be both economical and memorable.

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Trip cost calculations are estimates. Actual costs vary based on gas prices, driving conditions, vehicle efficiency, and personal spending choices. Check current prices before traveling.