Fuel Cost Calculator

How to Calculate Fuel Cost

Calculating the fuel cost for a trip involves considering the vehicle's fuel efficiency, the distance of the trip, and the current fuel price. This calculation helps in budgeting for travel expenses and comparing the costs of different transportation options.

What is the Formula?

The formula for calculating fuel cost is:

\[ Fuel Cost = \frac{Trip Distance}{Fuel Efficiency} \times Fuel Price per Gallon \]

Where:

• Fuel Cost is in dollars ($)
• Trip Distance is in miles
• Fuel Efficiency is in miles per gallon (mpg)
• Fuel Price is in dollars per gallon ($/gallon)

What are the calculation steps?

1. Determine the trip distance in miles.
2. Identify the vehicle's fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (mpg).
3. Note the current fuel price per gallon.
4. Divide the trip distance by the fuel efficiency to get the amount of fuel used.
5. Multiply the fuel used by the fuel price per gallon to get the total fuel cost.

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the fuel cost for a trip with the following parameters:

• Trip Distance: 300 miles
• Fuel Efficiency: 25 mpg
• Fuel Price: $3.00 per gallon

Step 1: Calculate the amount of fuel used

\[ Fuel Used = \frac{Trip Distance}{Fuel Efficiency} = \frac{300 miles}{25 mpg} = 12 gallons \]

Step 2: Calculate the fuel cost

\[ Fuel Cost = Fuel Used \times Fuel Price per Gallon = 12 gallons \times \$3.00/gallon = \$36.00 \]

Therefore, the fuel cost for this 300-mile trip would be $36.00.

Diagram of Fuel Cost Calculation

The following diagram illustrates the concept of fuel cost calculation:

This diagram visually represents the relationship between the trip distance, fuel efficiency, and fuel price in determining the total fuel cost for a trip.