How to Calculate Gas Cost for a Road Trip
Before you hit the road, know exactly what fuel will cost. The formula takes 30 seconds.
Gas cost = (Total miles ÷ Your MPG) × Gas price per gallon. A 500-mile road trip in a 25 MPG car at $3.50/gallon: 500 ÷ 25 × $3.50 = $70. Split between 2 people: $35 each. Split between 4: $17.50 each — cheaper than one airline ticket.
Road Trip vs Flying
For 1-2 people traveling under 500 miles, driving is almost always cheaper. At 500+ miles or for solo travelers, compare: a $70 gas cost for a solo 500-mile drive equals the cost of a budget airline ticket, but the drive takes 7-8 hours versus 1.5 hours flying. For families of 4, driving saves 60-80% versus 4 plane tickets on trips under 800 miles.
Saving on Road Trip Gas
Drive 60-65 mph instead of 75+ (saves 15-20% on fuel). Use GasBuddy to find the cheapest stations along your route. Fill up before entering expensive areas (turnpikes, tourist zones). Keep tires properly inflated (saves 3% on fuel). Remove roof racks when not in use (reduces drag by 5-10%).