Gas Cost & Commute Cost Calculator
Work out what a single trip costs in gas, or what your daily commute is really costing you over a week, month, and year. Works in miles/gallons or kilometers/liters.
Estimate based on gas cost only — it doesn't include maintenance, insurance, tolls, or vehicle depreciation. See the FAQ below for the full picture of what a commute costs.
How this is calculated
The math behind both modes is the same trip-cost formula — daily commute mode just repeats it across a week and a year. It works a little differently depending on units, since MPG and L/100km measure fuel efficiency in opposite directions (higher MPG is better; lower L/100km is better):
trip cost = gallons used × price per gallon
Worked example: a 15-mile one-way commute (30 miles round trip) in a car that gets 28 MPG, with gas at $3.50/gallon: 30 ÷ 28 = 1.07 gallons, × $3.50 = about $3.75 for the day. Five days a week, that's roughly $18.75/week, $81/month, and $975/year — just in gas.
Frequently asked questions
How much does my commute cost in gas per month?
Use daily commute mode above: enter your one-way distance, your car's fuel economy, your local gas price, and how many days a week you drive it. The calculator multiplies your daily cost by your weekly days, then scales that up to a monthly and yearly figure automatically.
Where do I find my car's MPG or L/100km?
Your owner's manual lists an EPA-estimated (or regional equivalent) combined fuel economy figure, or you can search your exact year, make, and model online. For a more accurate personal number, reset your trip odometer at a fill-up, drive until your next fill-up, and divide distance driven by fuel used to refill the tank.
Does this include more than just gas — like maintenance or insurance?
No — this calculator only estimates fuel cost. The true cost of driving also includes maintenance, tires, insurance, and depreciation, which for an average car can roughly double or triple the "just gas" number above. This tool is intentionally just the fuel piece, since that's the part that changes trip to trip.
Can I use this outside the U.S.?
Yes — switch to metric units for kilometers and liters per 100km, and use the currency selector to change the displayed symbol. Enter your own local fuel price either way; the calculator doesn't convert currencies, only units.
How much gas does a road trip use?
Switch to one-time trip mode, uncheck "round trip" if you only want a one-way estimate (or leave it checked for there-and-back), enter the total trip distance from a maps app, your car's highway fuel economy, and the gas price along your route.