How much will a car journey cost in fuel? You need the distance, your vehicle’s average consumption and the price per litre. The result is a useful estimate for a single trip, a holiday or a regular commute.
Formula for fuel use and trip cost
First estimate the fuel needed: distance in km × consumption per 100 km ÷ 100. Then multiply the litres by the price per litre.
Example: a 350 km journey
At 350 km, consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 km and a fuel price of €1.80 per litre, the journey uses about 22.75 litres. That costs around €40.95 one way. A return journey costs roughly twice as much if the route and driving conditions are similar.
Enter your figures in the fuel cost calculator. For a regular journey to work, use the commuting cost calculator. For a trip shared by several people, the travel cost splitter can divide expenses.
Choose realistic inputs
- Use real-world consumption from several refills where possible, not only a brochure figure.
- Use the actual route distance and allow for detours or congestion.
- Enter a realistic fuel price; prices can change between stations.
- A trailer, heavy load, winter tyres or fast motorway driving may increase consumption.
The ADAC provides information about vehicle fuel consumption. A calculator does not replace checking fuel prices at stations along your route.
Fuel is only one part of car ownership
Maintenance, insurance, vehicle tax, tyres and depreciation add to the full cost of owning a car. When calculating fuel for one journey, treat the result as one cost component rather than the complete cost of driving.
Fuel prices and consumption vary, so this is an estimate.
How to estimate a journey more realistically
Use your vehicle’s realistic average consumption rather than only a brochure figure. For a return trip, double the distance when you travel the same route back. Motorways, city traffic, a trailer, winter tyres and a heavy load can all change fuel use. For a regular commute, recording actual fuel purchases over several weeks can provide a better estimate.
What about wear, tolls and parking?
A fuel-only calculation excludes these expenses. Add tolls, parking and, if you want a fuller comparison, an allowance for maintenance and tyres.