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Fuel Cost Calculator

Calculate trip fuel cost from distance, efficiency, and price.

⚠️ Not financial advice. Results are illustrative only and should not be used as the basis for any investment, tax, or financial decision. Consult a qualified financial adviser or chartered accountant before acting on any figure shown.

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Fuel-saving tips
Drive at 80–90 km/h— saves ~15% fuel vs 120 km/h
Check tyre pressure— under-inflation costs 3–5% more fuel
Remove roof racks when unused— reduces drag, saves ~5%
Use A/C sparingly— A/C adds ~10% fuel consumption

Plan your road trip budget

Knowing your fuel cost before a trip helps you budget accurately, decide whether to drive or take a train, and split costs fairly among passengers. This calculator supports one-way and return trips, all common efficiency units, and quick passenger cost-splitting.

Comparing different vehicles

Use the efficiency comparison table to see exactly how much you would save in a more fuel-efficient car. The difference between a 12 km/L SUV and a 20 km/L hatchback on a 1,000 km round trip is approximately ₹2,800 — enough to pay for a night's stay.

EV vs petrol cost comparison

An electric vehicle consuming 6 km/kWh at ₹8/unit costs ₹1.33 per km. A petrol car at 15 km/L and ₹103/L costs ₹6.87 per km — over 5× more. Over 15,000 km per year, the EV saves approximately ₹83,000 in fuel costs annually, not counting home vs public charging differences.

Real-world mileage vs ARAI-rated mileage

ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) tests fuel efficiency under controlled laboratory conditions — the numbers printed in car brochures are typically 15–30% higher than real-world highway mileage and 25–40% higher than city mileage. A car rated 20 km/L by ARAI will likely deliver 14–16 km/L in city driving and 17–18 km/L on the highway. For accurate fuel cost estimates, use your own tracked mileage from a few tanks (total km driven ÷ total litres filled). Fuel tracking apps like Fuelly or the built-in log in Google Maps Timeline can help. ARAI ratings are most reliable for relative comparisons between models, not for absolute budget planning.

Road trip fuel budgeting tips

For a round trip, multiply the one-way fuel cost by 2 and add a 10–15% buffer for detours, traffic, and air conditioning usage (AC reduces mileage by 8–12% on most petrol cars). Long highway drives at steady 80–90 km/h on cruise control yield the best mileage — hard acceleration and braking on city roads is the main cause of mileage falling below estimates. Carry a fuel cost estimate per person when a group is splitting a road trip — it prevents the ambiguity of "roughly what the fuel cost was" at the end of the trip and ensures everyone contributes their fair share.

CNG vs petrol cost calculation

CNG prices in India (₹75–90/kg in major cities) and typical mileage of 22–28 km/kg make CNG running costs approximately ₹3–4 per km versus ₹6–7 per km for petrol. To calculate CNG cost using this tool, enter your car's CNG mileage in km/kg in the efficiency field and the CNG price per kg in the fuel price field — the calculator handles any unit consistently. The higher upfront cost of a factory-fitted CNG kit (₹60,000–90,000) is typically recovered within 40,000–60,000 km for high-mileage users.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate fuel cost for a road trip?
Fuel cost = (Distance ÷ Fuel efficiency) × Fuel price per litre. For example, a 350 km trip in a car that does 15 km/L, with petrol at ₹103/L: (350 ÷ 15) × 103 = 23.33 litres × ₹103 = ₹2,403. This tool handles the calculation instantly and also shows cost per km and per-person split.
What is a good fuel efficiency for Indian cars?
Hatchbacks (Alto, WagonR): 18–22 km/L city. Sedans (City, Verna): 14–18 km/L. SUVs (Creta, Seltos): 12–16 km/L. Diesel SUVs: 15–18 km/L. Highway mileage is typically 15–20% higher than city. CNG vehicles achieve equivalent of 25–30 km per kg. EVs: 5–8 km per unit (kWh).
What is L/100km and how is it different from km/L?
km/L (kilometres per litre) — higher is better. India, UK, and most Asian countries use this. L/100km (litres per 100 kilometres) — lower is better. Europe uses this format. To convert: L/100km = 100 ÷ km/L. So 15 km/L = 6.67 L/100km. MPG (miles per gallon) is the US standard; 1 MPG ≈ 0.425 km/L.
How much does petrol and diesel cost in India?
Fuel prices vary by city and change monthly. As of mid-2025, petrol averages ₹100–107/litre and diesel ₹88–95/litre across major cities. Metro cities typically have slightly higher prices. Check your local petrol station app or the My Petrol Price website for current local rates.
How can I improve my car's fuel efficiency?
Drive at 80–90 km/h on highways (optimal for most cars). Maintain correct tyre pressure — every 10 PSI drop costs ~1% efficiency. Service air filter and spark plugs on schedule. Use engine oil of the right grade. Avoid unnecessary idling. Remove roof racks when not in use. Use cruise control on highways.

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