Road Trip Cost Calculator
Estimate road trip total cost including fuel, tolls, food, and lodging from distance, mpg, and fuel price.
Returns per-person cost and cost per mile.
Road trip cost estimation combines fuel cost, food, lodging, tolls, and optional costs like attraction fees and vehicle wear. The core fuel formula is:
Fuel Cost = (Total Distance / Fuel Economy) × Fuel Price Per Gallon
Total Trip Cost:
Total = Fuel Cost + (Nights × Hotel/Night) + (Days × Food/Day) + Tolls + Misc
Fuel Cost Breakdown:
Gallons Needed = Distance (miles) / MPG Fuel Cost = Gallons × Price/Gallon
Worked Example — 1,400-mile round trip, family of 4:
- Vehicle: SUV averaging 26 MPG
- Fuel price: $3.45/gallon
- Gallons needed: 1,400 / 26 = 53.8 gallons
- Fuel cost: 53.8 × $3.45 = $185.61
Additional costs:
- 3 nights lodging: 3 × $115 = $345
- 4 days food: 4 × $80 (family of 4) = $320
- Tolls: $40
- Attractions/parking: $120
- Total trip cost = $185.61 + $345 + $320 + $40 + $120 = $1,010.61
Per person: $1,010.61 / 4 = $252.65 per person
Vehicle Wear Cost (often overlooked): IRS standard mileage rate = $0.67/mile (2024) 1,400 miles × $0.67 = $938 implied wear cost (covers depreciation, tires, oil, brakes)
Money-Saving Tips: Driving at 65 mph vs 80 mph improves fuel economy by 10–15%. Booking hotels midweek saves $20–$40/night. Packing a cooler cuts food costs by 30–40%. Gas price apps (GasBuddy) can save $0.20–$0.40/gallon along your route.