Europe Road Trip Costs 2026: Fuel $1.32 to $2.15 a Litre
The same tank costs 63% more in the Netherlands than in Bulgaria. Petrol runs $1.32 to $2.15 a litre across 42 countries, before tolls and vignettes.
Petrol across Europe ranges from $1.32 to $2.15 a litre, a 63% gap between Bulgaria and the Netherlands, and fuel plus tolls work out at roughly EUR 0.15-0.25 per kilometre.
Filling the same tank costs 63% more in the Netherlands than in Bulgaria, and that single spread decides where a long European drive gets expensive. Petrol runs from $1.32 to $2.15 a litre across the 42 countries in the table below, with diesel usually a little under it, so a Scandinavian leg can cost half as much again as the identical distance through Poland or Romania. Tolls then move the total further: France and Italy meter by the kilometre while Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands charge private cars nothing, and the vignette countries want paying before you reach the border. At EUR 0.15-0.25 a kilometre for fuel and tolls together, a 3,000 km trip lands around EUR 450-750.
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Open the Cost Calculator →Key Findings
- 42 European countries with fuel price and toll data
- Cheapest fuel corridor: Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Hungary)
- Most expensive corridor: Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, Sweden)
- Free motorway countries: Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, and others
Fuel & Toll Overview
| Country | Petrol ($/L) | Diesel ($/L) | Toll System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | $1.52 | $1.42 | free |
| Austria | $1.65 | $1.55 | vignette |
| Belarus | $0.72 | $0.68 | toll_booth |
| Belgium | $1.90 | $1.78 | free |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | $1.38 | $1.32 | toll_booth |
| Bulgaria | $1.32 | $1.28 | vignette |
| Croatia | $1.65 | $1.55 | toll_booth |
| Cyprus | $1.48 | $1.52 | free |
| Czechia | $1.55 | $1.45 | vignette |
| Denmark | $2.05 | $1.75 | bridge_tunnel |
| Estonia | $1.62 | $1.55 | free |
| Finland | $1.98 | $1.78 | free |
| France | $1.98 | $1.82 | toll_booth |
| Germany | $1.95 | $1.72 | free |
| Greece | $1.92 | $1.65 | toll_booth |
| Hungary | $1.52 | $1.55 | vignette |
| Iceland | $2.15 | $2.08 | tunnel_toll |
| Ireland | $1.82 | $1.72 | toll_booth |
| Italy | $2.02 | $1.80 | toll_booth |
| Kosovo | $1.42 | $1.35 | free |
| Latvia | $1.58 | $1.52 | free |
| Lithuania | $1.52 | $1.42 | free |
| Luxembourg | $1.58 | $1.45 | free |
| Malta | $1.52 | $1.40 | free |
| Moldova | $1.15 | $1.05 | vignette |
| Montenegro | $1.52 | $1.38 | toll_booth |
| Netherlands | $2.15 | $1.80 | free |
| North Macedonia | $1.35 | $1.22 | toll_booth |
| Norway | $2.10 | $1.95 | toll_ring |
| Poland | $1.48 | $1.42 | mixed |
| Portugal | $1.88 | $1.65 | toll_booth |
| Romania | $1.42 | $1.45 | vignette |
| Russia | $0.62 | $0.65 | unknown |
| Serbia | $1.45 | $1.50 | toll_booth |
| Slovakia | $1.62 | $1.50 | vignette |
| Slovenia | $1.58 | $1.52 | vignette |
| Spain | $1.70 | $1.55 | mixed |
| Sweden | $1.88 | $1.92 | congestion_tax |
| Switzerland | $1.92 | $1.95 | vignette |
| Turkey | $1.15 | $1.10 | toll_booth |
| Ukraine | $1.25 | $1.20 | free |
| United Kingdom | $1.85 | $1.78 | unknown |
Sample Route Costs
Here are estimated costs for popular European road trip routes (based on a mid-size car, 7L/100km petrol consumption):
Amsterdam to Rome (~1,600 km)
- Fuel: ~112L x
$1.80 avg = **$200** - Tolls: Swiss vignette (
$45), Austrian vignette ($10), Italian motorway ($40) = **$95** - Total driving cost: ~$295
Paris to Barcelona (~1,000 km)
- Fuel: ~70L x
$1.85 = **$130** - Tolls: French autoroute (
$70), Spanish toll (minimal) = **$75** - Total driving cost: ~$205
Berlin to Prague (~350 km)
- Fuel: ~25L x
$1.70 = **$42** - Tolls: Czech vignette (
$12) = **$12** - Total driving cost: ~$54
London to Edinburgh (~660 km)
- Fuel: ~46L x
$1.80 = **$83** - Tolls: M6 toll (
$10) = **$10** - Total driving cost: ~$93
Hidden Costs to Budget For
- Parking: City centre parking in major European cities costs EUR 2-6/hour. Budget EUR 20-40/day in expensive cities.
- Emission zones: LEZ stickers and charges (Berlin: EUR 5-15 sticker, London ULEZ: GBP 12.50/day).
- Ferry crossings: Channel crossing, Scandinavian ferries, and island hops add EUR 50-200+.
- International insurance: Green card (free from your insurer) and excess reduction insurance.
- Fines: Budget a contingency. Even careful drivers occasionally get caught by unfamiliar rules.
Related Tools & Guides
- Road Trip Cost Calculator — personalised cost estimate
- Fuel Cost Calculator — fuel-only calculation
- Toll Roads in Europe — detailed toll information
- Fuel Prices in Europe — current price comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
A rough budget is EUR 0.15-0.25 per kilometre for fuel and tolls combined. A 3,000 km trip typically costs EUR 450-750 in driving costs alone, excluding accommodation and food.
Eastern European countries offer the lowest combination of fuel prices and toll costs. Poland, Romania, and the Baltics are particularly affordable.
Diesel is typically cheaper per litre and offers better fuel economy, making it more cost-effective for long distances. However, diesel cars may face restrictions in some emission zones.
Potentially, yes. If your route passes through Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, or other vignette countries, you need a separate vignette for each.
For solo travellers, flying is often cheaper. For 2+ passengers sharing fuel and toll costs, driving becomes competitive and offers flexibility. Factor in car rental or fuel costs versus airfare.