Driving Cost Comparison 2026: Two Countries, Fuel vs Tolls
Set two countries side by side on official, dated pump prices and their toll systems, from Austria's EUR 12.80 ten-day vignette to Swiss CHF 40 a year.
Trip Details
Cost Comparison
Official fuel prices (USD/litre, dated) and toll system
| Country | Petrol | Diesel | Tolls |
|---|
Choose two countries from the dropdowns and the tool prices the same drive on each country’s official pump price, then sets out how each one charges for its motorways. Fuel figures are national averages or regulated prices with their date shown, EU countries from the European Commission’s Weekly Oil Bulletin; a country without an official figure is left out rather than estimated. Tolls are shown as the system each country uses, because a per-kilometre average would hide the real spread: France and Italy bill by the stretch you drive, while Austria asks EUR 12.80 for a ten-day vignette and Switzerland CHF 40 for the year.
Driving Cost Comparison
What This Tool Does
Select two countries, a distance, your car’s consumption and the fuel type. The tool works out litres needed and the fuel cost in each country at its official price, puts the two side by side, and labels each country’s toll system so you can add motorway charges for your exact route.
How to Use It
- Select two countries from the dropdowns.
- Enter the distance and pick your car’s consumption.
- Choose petrol or diesel.
- Compare the fuel cost and check the toll system before you plan the route.
Worked Example: 500 km at 7 L/100 km
A 500 km drive at 7 L/100 km uses 35 litres. At a pump price of $2.00 a litre that is $70; at $2.40 it is $84, so a 40-cent gap between two countries is worth $14 on this trip. The tool does the same sum with each country’s current official price.
Why This Matters
Fuel is only part of the bill. On a long French or Italian motorway drive the distance tolls can outweigh the price difference at the pump, while in a vignette country the charge is fixed however far you go. Buying the vignette before you join the motorway avoids the on-the-spot penalty.
Data Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
On fuel alone, the reference table on this page ranks every country we hold an official, dated pump price for; the order changes week to week, so check it before you travel. Tolls can reverse the result on a long motorway drive.
It depends on the system. France, Italy and Spain charge by distance on their toll motorways, so the bill depends on the stretch you drive. Vignette countries charge a flat fee instead: Austria EUR 12.80 for 10 days (ASFINAG), Switzerland CHF 40 for a year (BAZG) and Czechia CZK 300 for 10 days.
For solo travellers, budget flights are often cheaper for distances over 500 km. For families or groups of 3+, driving is typically more economical. Driving also offers flexibility, no baggage fees, and the ability to stop along the way. Factor in fuel, tolls, parking, and vehicle wear.
Average fuel consumption varies by vehicle: small cars 5-7 L/100km, medium sedans 7-9 L/100km, SUVs 9-12 L/100km, and large vehicles 12-15+ L/100km. Motorway driving is generally more efficient than urban driving. Air conditioning and heavy loads increase consumption.