Mileage Calculator
Plan your journey with confidence. Calculate trip distance, fuel costs, gas expenses, and carbon emissions. Perfect for road trip planning, business mileage reimbursement, or estimating your daily commute expenses.
How Trip Costs Are Calculated
Our mileage calculator helps you estimate total fuel expenses for any journey. Simply enter your trip distance, vehicle fuel efficiency, current fuel price, and number of passengers to see total cost, cost per passenger, and environmental impact.
For MPG (Miles Per Gallon):
Gallons Needed = Distance (miles) ÷ Fuel Efficiency (MPG)
Total Fuel Cost = Gallons × Price per Gallon
For L/100km (Liters per 100 kilometers):
Liters Needed = Distance (km) × Fuel Efficiency (L/100km) ÷ 100
Total Fuel Cost = Liters × Price per Liter
Carbon Emissions:
CO₂ (lbs) = Gallons × 19.6
CO₂ (kg) = Liters × 2.3
Example Calculation
300 mile trip, 25 MPG, $3.50/gallon, 2 passengers
Gallons = 300 ÷ 25 = 12 gallons
Total Cost = 12 × $3.50 = $42.00
Cost per Passenger = $42.00 ÷ 2 = $21.00
CO₂ Emissions = 12 × 19.6 = 235.2 lbs CO₂
Fuel Efficiency Reference Table
| Vehicle Type | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | L/100km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car | 28-32 | 36-42 | 30-35 | 7.8-6.7 |
| Midsize Sedan | 24-28 | 32-38 | 26-32 | 9.0-7.4 |
| SUV / Crossover | 20-24 | 26-31 | 22-27 | 10.7-8.7 |
| Pickup Truck | 15-19 | 19-24 | 16-21 | 14.7-11.2 |
| Hybrid | 50-55 | 45-50 | 48-52 | 4.9-4.5 |
| Electric Vehicle | 100-120 MPGe | 110 MPGe | N/A | N/A |
Tips to Reduce Fuel Costs & Maximize Mileage
- Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires can reduce fuel economy by up to 3%. Check monthly.
- Drive Smoothly: Aggressive acceleration and braking can lower MPG by 15-30% on highways.
- Reduce Speed: Each 5 mph over 50 mph costs an additional $0.20-$0.30 per gallon.
- Remove Excess Weight: Every 100 lbs reduces MPG by about 1%. Remove roof racks when not in use.
- Regular Maintenance: Clean air filters, fresh oil, and proper alignment improve efficiency by 4-10%.
- Business Mileage Reimbursement: The 2025 IRS standard mileage rate is $0.655 per mile.
❓ Mileage Calculator FAQ
What is a mileage calculator?
A mileage calculator is a tool that estimates trip costs, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions based on your trip distance, vehicle fuel efficiency, and fuel price. It helps you plan road trips, budget for fuel expenses, and understand your environmental impact.
How do I calculate my car's gas mileage?
Gas mileage (MPG) is calculated by dividing the number of miles driven by the number of gallons of fuel used. For example, if you drove 300 miles and used 12 gallons, your MPG is 300 ÷ 12 = 25 MPG.
How do I calculate fuel cost for a trip?
Fuel cost = (Distance ÷ Fuel Efficiency) × Fuel Price. For example, a 300-mile trip at 25 MPG with $3.50/gallon costs (300 ÷ 25) × $3.50 = $42.00.
What is the difference between MPG and L/100km?
MPG (Miles Per Gallon) measures how many miles you can drive on one gallon of fuel. L/100km measures how many liters of fuel you need to drive 100 kilometers. MPG is used in the US, while L/100km is used in most other countries. Higher MPG and lower L/100km both indicate better fuel efficiency.
How do I convert MPG to L/100km?
To convert MPG to L/100km, divide 235.215 by the MPG value. For example, 25 MPG = 235.215 ÷ 25 = 9.4 L/100km. To convert L/100km to MPG, divide 235.215 by the L/100km value.
What is the average fuel efficiency for a car?
The average fuel efficiency for new cars in the US is about 25 MPG (9.4 L/100km). Compact cars typically get 30-35 MPG, SUVs get 22-27 MPG, and hybrids get 48-52 MPG. Your actual mileage may vary based on driving conditions and maintenance.
How does driving speed affect fuel efficiency?
Fuel efficiency generally decreases at speeds over 50 mph. Each 5 mph over 50 mph can cost an additional $0.20-$0.30 per gallon. Driving at 65 mph instead of 55 mph can reduce fuel economy by 10-15%.
How do I calculate CO₂ emissions for a trip?
CO₂ emissions = Gallons of fuel used × 19.6 (lbs CO₂ per gallon). For example, 12 gallons of gas produces 12 × 19.6 = 235.2 lbs of CO₂. This calculator can show estimated emissions when the "Show Carbon Emissions" option is enabled.
What is the IRS standard mileage rate for 2025?
The 2025 IRS standard mileage rate is $0.655 per mile for business use. You can compare your actual fuel costs to this rate using the "Compare with Standard Rate" option in this calculator.
How do I calculate cost per passenger?
Cost per passenger = Total Trip Cost ÷ Number of Passengers. This helps you split fuel costs fairly when traveling with others.
What is the difference between city and highway MPG?
City MPG is measured in stop-and-go traffic conditions, which typically result in lower fuel efficiency due to frequent acceleration and braking. Highway MPG is measured at steady speeds on open roads, which usually gives higher fuel efficiency.
How can I improve my car's fuel efficiency?
You can improve fuel efficiency by maintaining proper tire pressure, driving smoothly, reducing speed, removing excess weight, keeping up with regular maintenance, and using cruise control on highways. These steps can improve MPG by 4-30%.
What is the difference between fuel economy and fuel consumption?
Fuel economy (MPG or km/L) measures how far you can travel on a given amount of fuel. Fuel consumption (L/100km or gallons per mile) measures how much fuel you need to travel a given distance. They are inverse measures of the same concept.
Does using the AC affect fuel efficiency?
Yes, using the air conditioner can reduce fuel efficiency by 5-10% in city driving and 2-4% on highways. At speeds over 40 mph, using AC is more efficient than driving with windows down, which creates aerodynamic drag.
How do I calculate fuel cost for a road trip?
To calculate fuel cost for a road trip, multiply your total trip distance by your fuel consumption rate, then multiply by the fuel price. This calculator does this for you automatically — just enter your trip details and click "Calculate Trip Cost."
What is the difference between regular and premium fuel?
Regular fuel (87 octane) is suitable for most vehicles. Premium fuel (91-93 octane) is recommended for high-performance engines. Using premium fuel in a car that doesn't require it does not improve performance or fuel efficiency and is a waste of money.
How does tire pressure affect gas mileage?
Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tires can improve MPG by up to 3%. Check your tire pressure monthly and keep them at the manufacturer's recommended PSI.
What is the environmental impact of driving?
The average passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of CO₂ per year. This calculator helps you understand your trip's environmental impact by estimating CO₂ emissions based on your fuel consumption.
How accurate is this mileage calculator?
This calculator provides accurate estimates based on standard formulas and the values you enter. Actual fuel consumption may vary based on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, and other factors. Use this as a planning tool for budgeting and trip preparation.