Trip Fuel Cost
Total fuel cost for a trip.
Formula
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Example
300 mi ÷ 30 mpg × $4 = $40
How it works
This formula estimates how much money a trip will cost in fuel by first finding how many units of fuel you will use, then multiplying by the price per unit. Since economy tells you how far the vehicle travels per unit of fuel, dividing distance by economy gives the amount of fuel needed. Multiplying that fuel amount by the fuel price turns usage into cost.
When to use it
Use this when planning driving costs for a road trip, delivery route, or any travel where you know the distance, vehicle fuel economy, and fuel price. It is useful for budgeting before you drive or comparing the cost of different vehicles or routes.
Worked example, step by step
Distance = 180 miles Economy = 36 miles per gallon Price per gallon = $3.50 Fuel needed = 180 ÷ 36 = 5 gallons Cost = 5 × 3.50 = $17.50 Final answer: The trip will cost $17.50 in fuel.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong units, such as miles with liters per kilometer, without converting first
- Multiplying distance by price directly instead of first finding how much fuel is needed
- Forgetting that economy is a rate, so it must be used as distance divided by fuel
Did You Know?
Fuel cost scales directly with distance and price.
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