Gas Cost Calculator
Road Trip & Commute
Calculate exactly how much you'll spend on gas - for a road trip, daily commute, or any drive. Split the cost between passengers too.
Average Gas Prices by US State (2025-2026)
Gas prices vary significantly across the US due to state taxes, refinery access, transportation costs, and local regulations. These are approximate averages - check GasBuddy or AAA for daily current prices.
| State | Avg Price/Gal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | $4.60-$5.20 | Highest in continental US; strict blend requirements |
| Hawaii | $4.50-$5.00 | Remote location adds shipping cost |
| Washington | $3.80-$4.30 | High state gas tax ($0.494/gal) |
| Oregon | $3.70-$4.20 | No self-service until 2018 |
| Nevada | $3.60-$4.10 | Remote refinery access |
| New York | $3.50-$3.90 | City surcharges inflate prices |
| Illinois | $3.50-$3.90 | High combined state/local taxes |
| National Average | $3.20-$3.60 | Regular unleaded, 2025-2026 |
| Florida | $3.00-$3.40 | Moderate taxes, multiple refineries nearby |
| Texas | $2.80-$3.20 | Low gas tax ($0.20/gal), near refineries |
| Mississippi | $2.75-$3.10 | Lowest gas taxes in the South |
| Louisiana | $2.75-$3.10 | Major refinery state, low prices |
Popular US Road Trip Gas Costs
Here are estimated fuel costs for popular American road trips, assuming a car getting 30 MPG at $3.50/gallon:
| Route | Miles (one way) | Gas Cost (30 MPG, $3.50) |
|---|---|---|
| New York β Los Angeles (I-40) | 2,790 mi | ~$325 one way |
| Chicago β Miami (I-65/I-75) | 1,380 mi | ~$161 one way |
| Seattle β San Francisco (US-101) | 860 mi | ~$100 one way |
| Dallas β Denver (I-25) | 960 mi | ~$112 one way |
| Atlanta β Nashville (I-24) | 250 mi | ~$29 one way |
| Boston β Washington DC (I-95) | 440 mi | ~$51 one way |
| Las Vegas β Grand Canyon | 280 mi | ~$33 one way |
| San Francisco β Los Angeles (PCH) | 380 mi | ~$44 one way |
How to use Gas Cost Calculator Road Trip & Commute
Enter your figures
Fill in Total distance (miles), Fuel economy, Fuel price per gallon and One way. Values you change are used straight away, with no submit button.
Adjust the assumptions
Fine-tune Round trip to match your own situation.
Read the results
The Average Gas Prices by US State (2025-2026) and Popular US Road Trip Gas Costs update as soon as a value changes.
What this tool does
Total fuel cost for the trip
Enter the distance and the cost comes back for the whole journey, in US units or in kilometres and litres per 100 km.
Your car's real fuel economy
Enter the MPG or L/100km your car actually gets rather than the figure on the brochure, and the estimate follows it.
Today's price at the pump
Fuel price per gallon or litre is yours to type, in dollars or rupees, so the result matches what you will really pay.
One way or round trip
Switch between one way and round trip and the distance doubles or halves, which is the mistake most trip estimates make.
Split it between passengers
Enter how many people are travelling and the cost per person is worked out, which settles the argument before the trip rather than after.
Runs fully in your browser with no upload and no sign-up
Nothing you enter is uploaded. The whole calculation runs in your browser, with no account and no sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate gas cost for a road trip?
Divide your total miles by your car's MPG to get gallons needed, then multiply by the gas price per gallon. Example: 600 miles Γ· 32 MPG = 18.75 gallons Γ $3.50 = $65.63. Don't forget to multiply by 2 for a round trip.
How do I find my car's actual MPG?
The most accurate way: fill up your tank completely, reset your trip odometer, drive normally until nearly empty, then fill up again. Divide the miles driven by the gallons it took to refill. You can also check the EPA fuel economy rating for your vehicle at fueleconomy.gov - but real-world driving often differs from EPA estimates by 10-20%.
How can I save money on gas for a road trip?
Key strategies: maintain proper tire pressure, remove excess weight from your vehicle, use cruise control on highways, avoid idling, plan your route to avoid traffic, use gas price apps to find cheaper fuel along your route, and avoid premium fuel if your car only requires regular.
Is driving cheaper than flying for a road trip?
For solo travelers, flying is often cheaper for longer distances. For 2 or more people sharing a car, driving often wins because you split the gas cost. Other factors include travel time, bag fees, flexibility, and whether you need a rental car at the destination.
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