Fuel Consumption Calculator – Save on Your Car Trips

Disclaimer:
This article is based on my personal experience with performing an engine oil change on my vehicle. The information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute official service instructions or manufacturer recommendations.

For more information, please read the full disclaimer here.

Fuel Consumption & Trip Cost Calculator

Planning a road trip or just checking your daily driving expenses? This calculator helps you quickly estimate how much fuel your car will use and the total cost of your journey.

How Calculator Works

To get accurate results, simply enter:

• Total distance you plan to drive (in kilometers).
• Average fuel consumption of your car (liters per 100 km).
• Fuel price per liter in your area.

After you click Calculate, you will instantly see two key values: the total fuel used in liters and the total trip cost in EUR.

Calculator

💡 Tip: If you’re not sure about your car’s average fuel consumption, you can check it in your vehicle’s manual, on the manufacturer’s official website, or directly on your car’s dashboard (many modern vehicles display average consumption). Another way is to track it manually when refueling by noting kilometers driven and liters filled.

Other Car Costs to Consider

💡 Note: Fuel is usually the largest driving expense—but it’s not the only one. Don’t forget to account for other costs such as highway tolls, parking fees, routine maintenance (oil changes, tires), and insurance. These additional expenses can significantly impact your overall travel budget.

Real Life Example

If you’d like to see how this works in real-life data, check out this ownership cost overview for a BMW 420d Gran Coupe covering the summer of 2025, complete with fuel consumption, maintenance, and cost per kilometer breakdown:
BMW 420d Gran Coupe – Summer 2025 Ownership Cost Overview

How to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Here are some effective ways to lower your fuel costs and make your trips more efficient:

1. Reduce Excess Weight – Remove unnecessary items from your car; extra weight increases fuel consumption.
2. Check Tire Pressure Regularly – Properly inflated tires reduce rolling resistance and improve mileage.
3. Avoid Roof Racks When Not Needed – Extra drag from roof boxes or racks increases fuel usage.
4. Plan Your Trips – Combine errands and avoid traffic jams when possible.
5. Minimize Short Trips – Cold starts use more fuel; combine trips when possible.
6. Drive Smoothly – Avoid sudden acceleration and hard braking. Maintaining a steady speed saves fuel.
7. Use Cruise Control on Highways – Helps maintain consistent speed and improves fuel efficiency.
8. Keep Your Vehicle Maintained – Regular servicing, clean filters, and proper oil reduce fuel usage.
9. Use Air Conditioning Wisely – AC can increase fuel consumption; use it moderately.
10. Shift Gears Efficiently (for manual cars) – Drive in the highest gear possible without stressing the engine.
11. Close Windows at High Speeds – Open windows increase aerodynamic drag, reducing efficiency.
12. Limit Use of Heavy Electrical Loads – High usage of lights, heater, or audio can slightly increase fuel consumption.
13. Drive Less When Possible – Walk, cycle, carpool, or use public transport to reduce fuel usage overall 🙂

If you often travel with friends or colleagues, check out our Fuel Cost Splitter – Carpool Calculator to easily share trip expenses among passengers.