Road Trip Cost Calculator
Planning a road trip? Add up fuel, lodging and food to budget the whole journey — and see the cost per mile.
Trip planning and fuel apps
Learn moreFuel is only part of it
Fuel is the headline number, but on a multi-day trip lodging and food often cost more than gas. Tallying all three gives a realistic budget — and the cost per mile is a handy way to compare driving against flying or to split costs with travel companions.
How it’s calculated & sources
Fuel = distance ÷ MPG × gas price. Lodging = nights × nightly rate. Food = days × daily allowance. Total adds them; cost per mile divides by distance.
Benchmark: fuel = distance ÷ MPG × gas price; add lodging and food for the true trip cost.
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
A 1,200-mile trip at 28 mpg and $3.50/gallon burns about $150 of gas; add 3 nights at $130 and 4 days of food at $60 for roughly $870 total.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include wear and tear?
For a true cost, add ~$0.10–0.20/mile for maintenance and depreciation. Our car cost-of-ownership tool breaks that down.
Is driving cheaper than flying?
For short-to-medium distances or groups, often yes — especially since one tank covers everyone. Compare the per-person total against airfare plus a rental.