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Gas Cost Calculator (Trip Fuel)

Fuel cost for any road trip from distance, MPG, and gas price. Round-trip toggle, passenger cost split, and IRS mileage comparison.

LIFESTYLE

Estimate fuel cost for any road trip from distance, vehicle MPG, and current gas price. Includes round-trip toggle, passenger cost split, and a comparison to the IRS standard mileage rate ($0.67/mi in 2026) so business travelers can see the gap between actual gas cost and the IRS reimbursement.

Trip cost = (distance / MPG) × gas_price. A 500-mile trip in a 25-mpg vehicle at $3.30/gal costs $66 (one-way). EVs use 0.3-0.4 kWh/mi - at $0.16/kWh residential electricity, that is $0.05-$0.06/mi (3x cheaper than gas). Cost-per-mile for gas is gas_price ÷ MPG: $0.13/mi at $3.30 and 25 mpg. The IRS standard rate ($0.67/mi in 2026) reimburses much more than pure gas because it covers depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and tires.

Disclaimer: Estimate based on average MPG. Real-world fuel economy varies with terrain, driving style, weather, AC use, traffic, and elevation. City driving typically gets 10-20% lower MPG than highway.

Gas Cost Calculator (Trip Fuel Estimator)

Estimate fuel cost for any trip from distance, vehicle MPG, and gas price. Includes round-trip toggle, split-cost by passengers, and a per-mile cost breakdown for tax-deductible business mileage.

Trip Distance (miles)

Vehicle MPGEPA average ~25 mpg; pickup trucks 18-22; sedans 30-35; hybrids 45-55; EVs use kWh/mi instead.

Gas Price ($/gallon)US national average is ~$3.30 (May 2026). Check AAA gas prices for your local rate.

Round Trip?

Number of People Sharing Cost

Total Gas Cost

$66.00

Gallons Needed20.00 gal

Cost Per Mile$0.132/mi

IRS Mileage Reimbursement Comparison

IRS standard rate (2026): $0.67/mi business$335.00

Reimbursement minus actual gas cost+$269.00

If positive, the IRS rate covers more than just gas - it accounts for wear, depreciation, maintenance, and insurance.

How Gas Cost Math Works

Trip cost = (distance / MPG) × gas_price. A 500-mile trip in a 25-mpg car at $3.30/gallon costs (500/25) × 3.30 = 20 gallons × $3.30 = $66 for one-way. Round trip doubles it. Cost-per-mile = gas_price / MPG: at $3.30 and 25 mpg, that is $0.132 per mile - much less than the IRS standard mileage rate of $0.67 per mile, because the IRS rate covers depreciation and maintenance, not just fuel.

EVs change the math. Most EVs use about 0.3-0.4 kWh per mile. At $0.16/kWh residential electricity, that is $0.048-0.064 per mile - roughly 3x cheaper than gas at $0.13 per mile. EV fast-charging on the road runs $0.30-0.50 per kWh, which narrows the gap. Long road trips on Superchargers are about half the cost of gas, not a third.

For tax-deductible business trips, the IRS standard mileage rate ($0.67/mi in 2026) is almost always better than the actual-expense method. The actual-expense method only beats it for very expensive vehicles (luxury cars, large trucks) with very low miles. Document each business trip with date, purpose, and odometer/route. Apps like MileIQ track automatically via GPS.

Estimate based on average MPG. Real-world fuel economy varies with terrain, driving style, weather, AC use, and traffic. City driving typically gets 10-20% lower MPG than highway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a road trip cost in gas?

Trip gas cost = (distance / MPG) × gas_price. A 500-mile trip in a 25-mpg car at $3.30/gal costs about $66 one-way, $132 round-trip. A 1,000-mile road trip from Los Angeles to Denver in the same car runs about $132 each way. Larger SUVs and trucks (18-22 mpg) cost 25-40% more. Hybrid sedans (45-50 mpg) cut the cost in half.

How much will I save in gas with a hybrid vs a regular car?

For 12,000 annual miles at $3.30/gal: a 25-mpg car uses 480 gallons = $1,584/year. A 50-mpg hybrid uses 240 gallons = $792/year. Annual savings: $792. The break-even on the typical $3,000-5,000 hybrid premium is 4-6 years of average driving. The math gets much better for high-mileage drivers and worse if gas drops significantly.

Are EVs really cheaper to drive than gas cars?

Yes, typically 50-70% cheaper per mile at home electricity rates. A typical EV uses 0.3-0.4 kWh/mile. At $0.16/kWh (US residential average), that is $0.048-$0.064/mile - versus $0.13/mile for a 25-mpg gas car at $3.30/gal. Fast-charging on road trips ($0.30-$0.50/kWh) narrows but does not eliminate the gap. Annual fuel savings for 12,000 miles: roughly $1,000.

Gas Cost Calculator (Trip Fuel)

Gas Cost Calculator (Trip Fuel Estimator)

IRS Mileage Reimbursement Comparison

How Gas Cost Math Works

Frequently Asked Questions

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