How to calculate fuel cost for a trip

Use this fuel cost calculator to estimate petrol or diesel required for a journey. Enter the travel distance, your vehicle's mileage in km/l and the current fuel price. The calculator shows litres needed, total fuel cost and cost per kilometre.

Fuel cost formula

Fuel required = distance ÷ mileage. Fuel cost = fuel required × price per litre. For example, a 300 km trip in a vehicle returning 15 km/l needs about 20 litres. At ₹100 per litre, the estimated fuel cost is ₹2,000.

Useful for India road trips

You can use the calculator for cars, bikes and other vehicles. For a complete trip budget, combine the result with toll charges and other travel expenses using the Trip Cost Calculator.

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Worked example for an Indian road trip

Suppose your one-way route is 240 km, your car averages 15 km/L, and the petrol price you enter is ₹105/L. Estimated fuel use is 240 ÷ 15 = 16 litres, and estimated one-way fuel cost is 16 × ₹105 = ₹1,680. For a return journey on the same route, a simple estimate is ₹3,360 before detours or traffic-related changes.

Improve your estimate

Use the mileage you actually achieve in similar traffic, not only the manufacturer's test figure.

Use a current local pump price and update it before travelling.

Allow for detours, idling, hills, air-conditioning, passengers and luggage.

Parking, tolls and food are separate from fuel cost; add them to a full trip budget.

For observed vehicle efficiency from distance and fuel filled, use the Mileage Calculator. For shared travel expenses, use the Trip Cost Calculator.