Total Gas Cost
$114
Per Person
$28
Total Miles
1,000
Gallons
35.7
1,000
35.7
$28
~3
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Divide your total trip distance by your vehicle's MPG to get gallons needed, then multiply by the current gas price. For a 500-mile trip in a car getting 28 MPG at $3.18/gallon: (500 / 28) x $3.18 = $56.79. Double it for round trips.
A 500-mile trip in a car averaging 28 MPG uses about 17.9 gallons. An SUV at 22 MPG uses 22.7 gallons for the same distance. Double these numbers for round trips.
At the average gas price of $3.18/gallon and 28 MPG, a 1,000-mile road trip costs about $113.57 in gas. In an SUV at 22 MPG, the same trip costs $144.55. Splitting with 4 passengers brings per-person cost to $28-36.
Driving is typically cheaper for trips under 500 miles or when traveling with 3+ people. A 400-mile round trip costs about $90 in gas, while two plane tickets would cost $300+. But for solo trips over 800 miles, flying often wins on both time and cost.
Use cruise control on highways to improve MPG by 7-14%. Keep tires properly inflated (saves 3% on fuel). Remove roof racks when not in use (reduces drag). Drive 55-65 mph instead of 75+ (saves 15-20% on fuel). Fill up at cheaper stations using gas price apps.
Inputs
Result
A 500-mile round trip at 28 MPG needs 17.9 gallons. At $3.18/gallon that is $56.79 total, or just $14.20 per person with 4 travelers.
Inputs
Result
A 2,800-mile one-way drive at 25 MPG needs 112 gallons. At $3.18/gallon that is $356.16, or $178.08 per person with 2 travelers.
Gas Cost = (Trip Distance / Vehicle MPG) x Gas Price Per GallonCalculates total fuel expense based on trip distance, vehicle fuel efficiency, and current gas prices.
Where:
Trip Distance= Total driving distance in miles (doubled if round trip)Vehicle MPG= Your vehicle's miles per gallon fuel efficiencyGas Price= Current gas price per gallon in dollarsPer Person = Total Gas Cost / Number of TravelersSplits the gas cost evenly among all passengers for carpooling savings.
Where:
Total Gas Cost= Fuel cost for the entire tripNumber of Travelers= People sharing the driving costKnowing your fuel costs before a road trip helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. The basic formula is simple: divide your total miles by your MPG, then multiply by the gas price. But several factors can change your actual costs significantly.
Carpooling is the easiest way to cut road trip costs. A 500-mile round trip that costs $57 in gas drops to just $14 per person when you split it four ways. Even sharing with one other person cuts your cost in half.
Gas prices vary significantly by state. As of 2026, California averages $4.50+ per gallon while Texas and Oklahoma average under $2.90. Planning your fill-ups in cheaper states can save $20-30 on a cross-country trip.
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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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