CalculateY
Quick Answer
A 500-mile road trip in a 25 MPG vehicle with gas at $3.50/gallon costs an estimated $70.00 in fuel, requires 20.0 gallons, takes approximately 7 hours 41 minutes at 65 mph, and suggests 1 fuel stop.
Common Examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| 500 miles, 25 MPG, $3.50/gal, 65 mph | Estimated 20.0 gal, $70.00, 7h 41m, 1 stop |
| 1,000 miles, 30 MPG, $3.25/gal, 70 mph | Estimated 33.3 gal, $108.33, 14h 17m, 3 stops |
| 250 miles, 22 MPG, $3.75/gal, 60 mph | Estimated 11.4 gal, $42.61, 4h 10m, 0 stops |
| 1,500 miles, 28 MPG, $3.50/gal, 65 mph | Estimated 53.6 gal, $187.50, 23h 5m, 4 stops |
| 200 miles, 35 MPG, $3.00/gal, 55 mph | Estimated 5.7 gal, $17.14, 3h 38m, 0 stops |
How It Works
The Formulas
Road trip estimation combines fuel cost and travel time calculations:
Fuel Needed (gallons) = Distance / Fuel Efficiency (MPG)
Fuel Cost = Fuel Needed x Price per Gallon
Cost per Mile = Fuel Cost / Distance
Drive Time = Distance / Average Speed
Suggested Stops = floor(Distance / 300)
Where:
- Distance = total one-way trip distance in miles
- MPG = vehicle fuel efficiency in miles per gallon
- Price = current fuel price per gallon
- Average Speed = your expected average speed including highway and any slower sections
Average Speed vs. Speed Limit
The average speed input should reflect your realistic overall pace, not the posted speed limit. Factors that reduce your average speed include traffic, rest stops, construction zones, city driving segments, and varying speed limits. A reasonable average for a mostly-highway trip in the United States is 55 to 65 mph. Interstate driving at posted 70 mph limits often averages closer to 60 to 65 mph when accounting for slower segments and stops.
Fuel Stops Every 300 Miles
The calculator suggests fuel stops every 300 miles as a practical guideline. Most vehicles have a range of 300 to 500 miles per tank, and stopping every 300 miles provides a comfortable margin while also serving as a rest break. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends taking a break at least every 2 hours or 100 miles to reduce fatigue-related driving risks.
Factors Not Included
This calculator estimates fuel cost and drive time only. A complete road trip budget would also include tolls, food, lodging (for multi-day trips), vehicle wear (approximately $0.05 to $0.10 per mile for tires, oil, etc.), and any parking fees. These costs vary widely by route and travel style.
Worked Example
For a 500-mile trip in a vehicle averaging 25 MPG, with gas at $3.50/gallon, driving at 65 mph average: Fuel needed = 500 / 25 = 20.0 gallons. Fuel cost = 20.0 x $3.50 = $70.00. Cost per mile = $70.00 / 500 = $0.14. Drive time = 500 / 65 = 7.692 hours = 7 hours 41 minutes. Stops = floor(500 / 300) = 1 stop (at approximately the 300-mile mark). For a round trip, double all values: 40.0 gallons, $140.00 fuel cost, 15 hours 23 minutes of driving.