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⛽ Fuel Cost Calculator 2026 — What Your Trip Costs at Today's Prices

Enter distance and consumption: get the fuel cost for 32 European countries at current prices. Diesel and petrol compared, and where crossing a border changes the bill.

Trip Details

Quick presets:
Total Cost
Fuel Needed
Cost / km
CO₂ (est.)

Trip Cost Breakdown

Compare Fuel Costs Between Countries

Select two countries and your vehicle details. Results appear after you click Compare.

Reference Fuel Prices by Country

Approximate, 2026

Click a row to use that price in the calculator.

CountryPetrol (USD/L)Diesel (USD/L)Trip Cost

Fuel prices are approximate averages and fluctuate regularly. CO₂ estimate uses 2.31 kg/litre for petrol. Actual costs depend on driving conditions, route, and current fuel prices.

Fuel Cost Calculator

Calculate the fuel cost for any journey based on distance, your vehicle’s fuel consumption, and current fuel prices. Compare costs between petrol and diesel, and see estimates in both local currency and USD.

What This Tool Does

Enter your trip distance and vehicle fuel economy, and the calculator estimates your total fuel cost. You can select any country to use its current average fuel price, or enter a custom price. The tool also shows how much you would save or spend with a more or less efficient vehicle.

How to Use It

  1. Enter the total distance of your journey in kilometres or miles.
  2. Input your vehicle’s fuel consumption (litres per 100 km, or miles per gallon).
  3. Select the country to use average local fuel prices, or enter a custom price per litre.
  4. Compare petrol vs diesel costs side by side.

Worked Example: a 500 km trip

A 500 km drive in a car that uses 7 litres per 100 km, with fuel at €1.80 per litre, costs about €63 in fuel and burns 35 litres. Halve the consumption or the distance and you roughly halve the cost.

The formula is simple:

  • Litres used = distance × (consumption ÷ 100) = 500 × (7 ÷ 100) = 35 litres
  • Fuel cost = litres × price per litre = 35 × €1.80 = €63
InputValue
Distance500 km
Consumption7 L/100 km
Fuel price€1.80 / litre
Fuel used35 litres
Total cost€63

If your car is quoted in MPG, the calculator converts it first (UK MPG and US MPG use different gallon sizes). Enter your own numbers above for an exact figure using live country prices.

Data Sources

Fuel prices are sourced from GlobalPetrolPrices.com and updated regularly. Prices reflect national averages and may vary by region, station, and time of year. Currency conversion rates are indicative and updated periodically. For the most accurate estimate, enter the actual fuel price at your local station.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is fuel cost calculated?
Fuel cost is calculated by dividing your trip distance by 100, multiplying by your vehicle's fuel consumption (litres per 100 km), and then multiplying by the fuel price per litre. For example, a 500 km trip at 7 L/100km with fuel at €1.80/L costs (500/100) × 7 × 1.80 = €63.00.
What is a typical fuel consumption for a car?
A small city car typically uses 5-6 L/100km, a medium family car 6-8 L/100km, a large SUV 9-12 L/100km, and a performance car 10-15+ L/100km. Diesel cars generally use 15-20% less fuel than equivalent petrol models.
How do I convert MPG to L/100km?
To convert UK (imperial) MPG to L/100km, divide 282.5 by the MPG figure. For US MPG, divide 235.2 by the MPG figure. For example, 40 UK MPG = 282.5/40 = 7.06 L/100km.
Why do fuel prices vary so much between countries?
Fuel prices are affected by crude oil costs, refining costs, taxes, subsidies, and distribution costs. Countries like Norway and the Netherlands have high fuel taxes, while oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait subsidise fuel, keeping prices low.
Should I calculate with petrol or diesel prices?
Use the fuel type that matches your vehicle. Diesel is typically cheaper in most European countries but more expensive in the US and UK. Our reference prices show both petrol and diesel where available.
How can I reduce my fuel costs on a road trip?
Maintain steady speeds, avoid rapid acceleration, keep tyres properly inflated, remove roof boxes when not needed, use cruise control on motorways, plan refuelling stops in cheaper areas, and avoid premium fuel unless your car specifically requires it.
Does driving speed affect fuel consumption?
Yes, significantly. Most cars are most fuel-efficient at 60-80 km/h. At 120 km/h, a typical car uses 20-30% more fuel than at 80 km/h due to aerodynamic drag, which increases exponentially with speed.
How accurate is this fuel cost estimate?
The calculation is mathematically precise given the inputs. However, real-world fuel consumption varies based on driving style, road conditions, terrain, weather, traffic, air conditioning use, and vehicle load. Manufacturer consumption figures are typically 10-20% lower than real-world values.

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