Fuel Cost Calculator

Calculate fuel cost for a trip or commute. Compare gas vs EV costs side by side.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: DOE

miles
MPG
$/gal
Trip Type

Fuel Needed

1.0 gal

Trip Cost

$4.10

Annual Cost

$1,066.00

Fuel Cost Breakdown

Total Distance30.0 miles
Fuel Needed1.00 gallons
One-Way Cost$4.10
Trip Cost$4.10
Weekly Cost$20.50
Monthly Cost$88.77
Annual Cost$1,066.00

Use the Fuel Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Whether you are pricing a daily commute or mapping out a long road trip, an upfront estimate of what the trip will cost makes budgeting in 2026 far easier. The tool covers both gasoline and electric vehicles and lays the two side by side, so you can see where an EV pulls ahead and where a fuel-efficient gas car still holds its own.

The math behind it is simple: distance divided by the vehicle's fuel efficiency, multiplied by the price per unit of fuel. Gas cars use miles per gallon and dollars per gallon, while electric vehicles use miles per kilowatt-hour and dollars per kWh, with 2026 average electricity rates built in to keep the comparison grounded.

Driving style moves these numbers more than most people expect, since hard acceleration and heavy braking push consumption up quickly. For EVs, public charging fees can run well above what you pay at home, so factor those in rather than assuming a single rate. Plugging in current local prices for your region will always give you the sharpest estimate.

Example: 200-Mile Trip - Gas Car vs. EV

  1. 1 Input: Trip Distance: 200 miles. Gas Car: 30 MPG, $3.80/gallon (2026 average). EV: 3.5 mi/kWh, $0.16/kWh (2026 average).
  2. 2 Calculate: Gas Cost = (200 miles / 30 MPG) * $3.80/gallon = $25.33. EV Cost = (200 miles / 3.5 mi/kWh) * $0.16/kWh = $9.14.
  3. 3 Result: The gasoline car will cost $25.33 for the trip, while the electric vehicle will cost $9.14.
  4. 4 Context: This example demonstrates a significant cost saving of $16.19 for the EV on a 200-mile trip, highlighting the long-term financial advantages of electric vehicles even with current fuel prices.

Source: DOE · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate fuel cost for a road trip?
Divide the trip distance by your vehicle's MPG to get gallons needed, then multiply by the price per gallon. A 500-mile trip at 25 MPG with $3.50/gallon gas costs $70.
What is the average fuel cost per mile in the US?
At average gas prices around $3.30-3.60/gallon and average fuel economy of 25-27 MPG, the cost is roughly $0.12-0.15 per mile for gas alone. Total driving costs (including depreciation, insurance, maintenance) are about $0.50-0.70 per mile.
Is it cheaper to drive an EV or a gas car?
EVs cost roughly $0.03-0.05 per mile for electricity vs $0.12-0.15 per mile for gas. Annual fuel savings of $1,000-1,500 are typical, though this varies by local electricity rates and gas prices.

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