Fuel is a variable expense
It responds quickly to route changes, traffic, and driver behavior.
Operations
Fuel Cost Estimator
Estimate fuel usage and cost for a route. Choose mpg or L/100km, enter distance and fuel price, and get fuel spend in seconds.
Inputs
Results
Total fuel cost:—
Fuel used:—
Cost per mile:—
Cost per km:—
Formula: fuel used is based on distance and efficiency. Cost = fuel used * price per unit.
Fuel cost planning for routes
Fuel is one of the largest variable expenses in transportation. Estimating fuel spend quickly allows logistics teams to build route budgets, evaluate carrier proposals, or compare different modes of transport. This calculator supports both miles per gallon (mpg) and liters per 100 km (L/100km), which are the most common efficiency formats across regions.
The math is straightforward: convert the distance into the unit required by the efficiency format, compute the fuel used, then multiply by the fuel price. For mpg, fuel used equals miles divided by mpg. For L/100km, fuel used equals (kilometers / 100) * liters per 100 km. The calculator then converts fuel volume to match the price unit, whether you price fuel per gallon or per liter.
The results include cost per mile and cost per kilometer, which are useful for route comparisons. If cost per mile is rising, it could be due to lower fuel efficiency, changes in driving patterns, or higher fuel prices. Fleet managers can use the output to track efficiency over time, while shippers can use it to sanity-check fuel surcharge assumptions.
This estimator does not account for idling, reefers, or auxiliary power usage. If those factors are significant, add an estimated idle fuel amount to the computed fuel used. For planning and benchmarking, the tool provides a fast, consistent baseline that keeps cost data private and entirely in the browser.
Fuel efficiency can vary by load weight, terrain, speed, and weather. For best results, use a realistic efficiency value based on historical data for the vehicle class and route profile. If you are comparing multiple routes, keep the efficiency constant to isolate the impact of distance and fuel price. If you are comparing vehicles, keep distance and fuel price constant to isolate equipment performance. This approach makes the estimator a useful baseline for fleet planning and cost reviews.
Formula
Fuel used (mpg): Miles / mpg
Fuel used (L/100km): (Kilometers / 100) * L/100km
Total fuel cost: Fuel used * Price per unit
Example calculation
A 520-mile trip with efficiency of 7.8 L/100km equals 837 km. Fuel used is
(837 / 100) * 7.8 = 65.3 liters. At $3.85 per liter, total fuel cost is
65.3 * 3.85 = $251.4. Cost per mile is $251.4 / 520 = $0.48.
FAQs
What efficiency units are supported?
Use mpg or liters per 100 km (L/100km). The calculator handles both formats.
Does the estimator include idle time?
No. It estimates fuel based on distance and efficiency; add idle fuel separately if needed.
Can I use liters or gallons for price?
Yes. Choose price per gallon or per liter and the tool converts as needed.
Is this calculator private?
Yes. All calculations run locally in your browser.
How it works
This calculator converts distance and fuel efficiency into fuel used, then multiplies by fuel price. All computation is client-side for privacy.
5 Fun Facts about Fuel Cost
Efficiency units differ by region
North America favors mpg, while most other regions use L/100km.
Global
Idling can add cost quickly
Long idle times can increase fuel spend without adding miles.
Idle time
Speed affects efficiency
High-speed driving often reduces mpg and increases cost per mile.
Driving
Weight impacts fuel burn
Heavier loads reduce efficiency, which can change route profitability.
Load
Disclaimer
Fuel cost estimates exclude idling and auxiliary power usage. Actual results depend on driving conditions and vehicle maintenance.