Road Trip Cost Calculator
Calculate total fuel cost, travel time, and expenses for a road trip based on distance and fuel efficiency.
Did this tool work for you?
How to use this calculator
Fuel needed in litres is distance divided by 100 multiplied by fuel efficiency (L/100 km). Multiply by the fuel price per litre to get the fuel cost. Add daily food costs (per person × passengers × days) and accommodation (per night × nights) to reach the total trip cost.
- 1
Enter the total driving distance in kilometres and your vehicle's fuel efficiency in litres per 100 km.
- 2
Set your average driving speed, number of passengers, and current fuel price per litre.
- 3
Fill in your daily food budget per person and accommodation cost per night, then review the full trip cost breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my car's fuel efficiency?
Check your vehicle owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for the official combined fuel consumption rating in L/100 km. Real-world usage typically runs 10–20% higher than the official figure depending on driving style and conditions.
Why does the calculator assume 8 hours of driving per day?
8 hours is a widely recommended safe driving limit per day. It accounts for rest stops, meals, and fatigue. You can adjust your average speed to reflect more or fewer actual driving hours.
Are tolls and parking included?
This calculator covers fuel, food, and accommodation as the three main controllable road-trip costs. Add estimated toll and parking fees manually to the total for a complete budget picture.
Road Trip Cost Calculator — Plan Your Drive Budget Before You Leave
What drives road trip costs
Fuel is usually the largest variable cost on a road trip, directly tied to distance and your vehicle's efficiency. A modern sedan averaging 7 L/100 km will spend roughly half the fuel of an SUV at 14 L/100 km over the same route. Food and accommodation add up quickly on multi-day drives — budgeting these in advance prevents surprises halfway through the journey.
Tips for reducing road trip expenses
Maintaining highway speeds between 90–110 km/h keeps fuel consumption near the manufacturer's optimal range. Packing snacks and meals reduces food costs by 40–60% compared to dining out every stop. Splitting costs among passengers is the single biggest lever — a $300 fuel bill becomes $75 per person in a car of four.
Learn more from an authoritative source:
WikipediaTravel Budget Planner
Plan your total travel budget by category — accommodation, food, transport, activities, and emergency fund.
Jet Lag Recovery Calculator
Estimate jet lag severity and recovery time based on time zones crossed and travel direction.
International Call Cost Calculator
Calculate the cost of international calls based on duration and per-minute rate.
Visa Fee Calculator
Estimate visa application fees and processing times for popular nationality and destination combinations across tourist, business, work, and student visa types.
Roaming Cost Calculator
Compare international roaming costs vs buying a local SIM card for your trip. Enter your home country, destination, and usage to see which option saves more money.
Currency Converter
Convert between 20 major world currencies using approximate 2024 exchange rates.
Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →