distance × consumption ÷ 100For 250 km at 6.5 L/100 km, the car uses 16.25 litres.
Free fuel and trip cost calculator
Calculate the real cost of a car trip.
Enter distance, vehicle consumption and fuel price to calculate how much fuel the journey will use, its total cost and how much each passenger should pay. Add tolls, parking or other expenses when they apply.
The formulas
How journey cost is calculated
The calculator keeps fuel or electricity separate from trip extras, then divides only after the total is known.
fuel used × price per litre16.25 L × €1.65/L gives €26.81 after currency rounding.
(energy cost + extras) ÷ people paying€26.81 divided between four people is €6.70 each, with a one-cent rounding remainder possible.
Worked example
A 250 km trip with four people
- Distance
- 250 km
- Consumption
- 6.5 L/100 km
- Fuel price
- €1.65/L
- People paying
- 4
Calculation
Fuel required16.25 L
Fuel cost€26.81
Journey total€26.81
Cost per person€6.70
Currency results are rounded to two decimal places. If a cent remains after splitting, the app assigns the rounding remainder to one share so all shares add up exactly.
What information do I need?
You need the journey distance, the vehicle's average consumption and the current energy price. Add the number of people paying and any shared extras.
Manufacturer consumption figures are useful estimates, but weather, speed, traffic, tyre pressure, load and driving style can change real consumption. Use a recent measured average when accuracy matters.
Should I calculate a return journey?
Yes, if everyone is sharing the round trip. Enter the full distance for both directions. If different people join each leg, calculate the legs separately so nobody pays for distance they did not travel.
Can I include tolls and parking?
Yes. Add shared tolls, parking and other agreed journey expenses before dividing the total. Personal purchases such as food are usually clearer when kept separate.
Petrol and diesel use the same formula
The calculation is the same for petrol and diesel: litres used multiplied by the price per litre. The vehicle's consumption and the actual pump price are what change. For battery vehicles, use the electric car trip cost guide.
How should the driver be treated?
There is no single fair rule. Divide between everyone when the driver is sharing the outing equally. Exclude the driver when passengers have agreed to cover the trip in return for the driving. See the fuel cost splitting guide for examples.
Common questions
Fuel cost calculator FAQ
How much fuel will I use?
Multiply distance in kilometres by consumption in litres per 100 km, then divide by 100. A 300 km trip at 6 L/100 km uses 18 litres.
Does the calculator work for petrol and diesel?
Yes. Both use litres per 100 km and a price per litre. Enter the consumption and price for the vehicle and fuel you will actually use.
Can I calculate an EV road trip?
Yes. Select Electric car. The calculator changes to kWh/100 km and price per kWh while keeping toll, parking and passenger splitting available.
Does DriveSplit include vehicle wear and depreciation?
No. This calculator totals energy and the extras you enter. If your group agrees to include wear, rental fees or another allowance, add that amount under other trip costs and explain it before splitting.
Is the result exact?
It is an estimate based on your inputs. Actual energy use can change with route, weather, traffic, vehicle load and driving style. Check receipts and real values before settling up.
Plan it once. Keep the result.
DriveSplit adds saved vehicles, route planning, transparent splits and short-lived links for passengers.