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Road trip fuel calculator
Budget the drive before you pack the cooler.
One-way or round trip, carpool split included: enter your distance and car's efficiency to see what the drive will cost in fuel.
Results
Fuel cost
$0.00
For the whole trip
Distance$0.00
Gallons used$0.00
Cost per mile$0.00
Split$0.00
Per person$0.00
Total fuel cost$0.00
400 miles each way at 28 mpg and $3.50/gal costs $100 round trip — $50 per person with one passenger.
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Fuel is the easy part to budget
Most road-trip budget blowups come from food, lodging, and “while we're here” spending — fuel is the one cost you can nail exactly in advance. Price it, split it, and collect before departure; the driver shouldn't float the group's gas.
Drive vs fly math
Compare the per-person fuel number against airfare plus rental car. Driving usually wins for 2+ people under ~500 miles; flying wins on time, and often on cost, for solo travelers going far.
Real-world MPG
Use your car's actual highway mileage, not the window sticker — loaded with luggage, AC on, at 80 mph, most cars return 10–20% under their EPA highway rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much gas will a 400-mile road trip use?
At 28 mpg, 400 miles one way uses about 14.3 gallons — about $50 at $3.50/gal, or $100 round trip.
How do I split road trip gas costs?
Divide total fuel cost by passengers. Our calculator does it — a $100 round trip with 2 people is $50 each.
Should I use highway or combined MPG?
Highway MPG — most of a road trip is highway miles. Knock 10–15% off the sticker for real-world conditions.
Is it cheaper to drive or fly?
Driving usually wins for 2+ passengers on trips under ~500 miles each way once you add airfare, bags, and a rental car. Compare per-person totals, not just fuel.
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