What This Calculator Does
This fuel cost calculator estimates the petrol or diesel needed and total cost for any trip based on distance, your vehicle's mileage, and fuel price per litre. It also computes per-km cost and lets you split the cost among passengers for ride-shares and road trips.
Inputs Explained
- Trip Distance: One-way or total distance in kilometres or miles.
- Round Trip: Toggle on if you'll return — doubles the distance automatically.
- Mileage: Your vehicle's fuel efficiency in km/L (kilometres per litre).
- Fuel Price: Current price per litre at your local pump.
- Number of People: Optional. To split the cost among passengers.
How It Works
Total fuel needed equals distance divided by mileage. Total cost equals fuel needed multiplied by fuel price. Cost per person is total cost divided by passenger count. Round-trip mode multiplies distance by 2.
Formula / Logic Used
Fuel Cost Calculator (Petrol & Diesel)
Calculate fuel cost for any trip — works in km/L (Indian) or mpg.
Step-by-Step Example
Trip: Aligarh to Delhi, ~150 km one-way
Round trip: 300 km
Mileage: 18 km/L | Fuel Price: ₹105/L
Fuel needed: 16.67 L | Total cost: ₹1,750
4 people sharing: ₹437 per person
Use Cases
- Road trip planning: Estimate fuel cost before the trip to budget accurately.
- Daily commute cost: Calculate monthly fuel spending based on your office distance.
- Ride sharing: Split fuel cost fairly among carpool members.
- Vehicle comparison: Compare petrol vs diesel cost over the same distance to make purchase decisions.
- Business reimbursement: Calculate fuel reimbursement for client visits or business travel.
Assumptions and Limitations
- Real-world mileage varies with traffic, AC usage, terrain, load, and driving style. Highway mileage is typically higher than city mileage.
- The calculator assumes constant fuel price for the entire trip. Long trips through different states may have varying prices.
- Toll charges, parking, and other trip costs are not included.
- EV (electric vehicle) cost is not directly comparable — use kWh/km × electricity rate instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are these fuel calculations?
They're accurate for typical highway driving with the mileage you input. City driving in heavy traffic, frequent AC use, or hilly terrain can reduce mileage by 20-30%, increasing actual cost.
What is a good mileage for a car?
For petrol cars in India: 15-20 km/L is common for hatchbacks, 12-16 km/L for sedans, 10-14 km/L for SUVs. Diesel cars typically achieve 18-25 km/L. EVs are measured differently (km per kWh).
Should I use city or highway mileage?
For mixed driving, use a combined figure (typically the lower of city/highway, or 80% of highway mileage). Manufacturers' ARAI/MIDC ratings are usually optimistic by 15-25% in real conditions.
Is my trip data saved?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your trip details are never uploaded or logged anywhere.
How do I find my actual mileage?
Fill the tank to full, reset trip meter, drive normally for at least 200-300 km, fill again to full, and divide km driven by litres added. Repeat over a few tankfuls for an accurate average.
Can I use this for diesel or CNG?
Yes. Just enter your vehicle's mileage and the current diesel or CNG price. CNG is measured in km/kg — use your CNG mileage and price per kg.
Why does my car's mileage drop in summer?
Heavy AC use can reduce mileage by 5-15%. Hot weather also makes the engine less efficient. Mileage typically improves slightly in winter (cooler air is denser and aids combustion).
How can I improve fuel economy?
Drive smoothly without harsh acceleration, maintain steady highway speed (60-80 km/h is most efficient), keep tyres properly inflated, reduce extra weight in the car, and service the engine regularly.
Sources and References
- Indian Oil — Daily Fuel Prices — Authoritative source for daily petrol and diesel prices in India.
- BPCL — Fuel Prices — Bharat Petroleum daily fuel rates.
- ARAI — Vehicle Mileage Standards — Automotive Research Association of India — official mileage testing.
- Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell — Government data on fuel consumption and pricing in India.