Fuel Consumption Calculator

Calculate trip fuel costs, measure your real MPG, or estimate your driving range. Supports metric, US, and UK units with real-world driving condition adjustments.

Fuel Consumption Calculator

Calculate fuel costs for trips, measure your actual consumption, or estimate your driving range. Supports metric and imperial units.

Calculator Mode

Unit System

Vehicle Settings

Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6

Fuel Consumption

8.0 L/100km

Lower is better (less fuel per 100km)

Trip Details

Total distance you plan to travel

Current Fuel Level

100% (55 L)

E
¼
½
¾
F

Keep this much fuel as safety buffer

Driving Conditions

Trip Fuel Estimate

Fuel Needed

40.0 L

Total Cost

$66.00

Trip Details

Trip Distance

500 km

Adjusted Consumption

8.0 L/100km

Baseline: 8.0 L/100km

Cost per km

$0.13

Refuel Planning

Current Range

688 km

With 100% fuel

Range per Full Tank

619 km

With 10% reserve

Refuel Stops Needed

0

Environmental Impact

CO₂ Emissions

92.4 kg

18 g/km

These are estimates based on typical conditions. Actual fuel consumption varies based on driving habits, vehicle condition, terrain, and weather. Track your actual consumption over time for the most accurate data.

Understanding Fuel Consumption

Fuel consumption (also called fuel economy or gas mileage) measures how efficiently your vehicle uses fuel. Understanding and tracking your consumption helps you save money, reduce environmental impact, and identify potential vehicle issues.

How Fuel Consumption is Measured

Different regions use different measurement systems:

  • L/100km (Metric) — Liters of fuel needed to travel 100 kilometers. Lower is better. Common in Canada, Europe, and Australia.
  • MPG (US) — Miles traveled per US gallon (3.785 liters). Higher is better. Standard in the United States.
  • MPG (UK) — Miles per Imperial gallon (4.546 liters). Higher is better, but ~20% higher than US MPG for the same efficiency.

How to Calculate Your MPG

To accurately calculate your fuel consumption:

  1. Fill your tank completely
  2. Reset your trip odometer (or note the mileage)
  3. Drive normally until you need more fuel
  4. Fill up completely again and note how much fuel you added
  5. Divide distance traveled by fuel used (MPG) or calculate (fuel ÷ distance × 100) for L/100km

Factors That Affect Fuel Consumption

Driving Conditions

City driving with frequent stops uses 15-30% more fuel than highway driving. Heavy traffic can increase consumption by 30-50%.

Weather

Cold weather can reduce fuel economy by 10-20% due to denser air, cold engine, and heating. A/C use in hot weather adds 5-15%.

Vehicle Load

Extra weight reduces efficiency. Every 100 lbs adds ~1-2% consumption. Roof cargo significantly increases air drag.

Driving Style

Aggressive acceleration and speeding can increase fuel use by 15-30%. Eco-driving techniques can improve economy by 10%.

Tips to Improve Your Fuel Economy

  • Maintain proper tire pressure — Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption
  • Remove excess weight — Clear out unnecessary items from your trunk and remove roof racks when not in use
  • Use cruise control — Maintaining steady speed on highways improves efficiency
  • Avoid excessive idling — Turn off the engine if stopped for more than 60 seconds
  • Accelerate gently — Smooth acceleration uses less fuel than rapid starts
  • Anticipate traffic — Looking ahead reduces unnecessary braking and acceleration
  • Keep up with maintenance — Regular oil changes, air filter replacement, and tune-ups optimize efficiency
  • Plan efficient routes — Combine trips and avoid peak traffic when possible

Track Every Fill-Up, Calculate Consumption Automatically

CarExpenses helps you log refuels, track consumption over time, and identify trends. Know exactly what your vehicle costs to run — with precise tank percentage tracking for accurate fuel economy calculations.