Road Trip Cost Calculator – Fuel Cost Per Person

Todd Mitchell (photo)
By Todd Mitchell
On: Sunday, June 7, 2026 10:20 PM
trip cost split

Road Trip Cost Calculator

Split a road trip’s fuel bill fairly — enter distance, economy, fuel price, and passenger count.

Trip Cost Splitter

Fuel cost shared between passengers

Total Fuel Used
Total Cost
Cost per Person

How It Works

Total fuel consumption is calculated from distance and economy (L/100km), then multiplied by price. The total cost is divided equally by the number of passengers including the driver.

Fuel used (L) = Distance × L/100km ÷ 100 | Total cost = Fuel × Price/L | Per person = Total ÷ Passengers

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the total one-way or return trip distance in km.
  2. Enter the car's fuel economy in L/100km (check your trip computer).
  3. Enter the current fuel price per litre.
  4. Enter the total number of people in the car (include the driver).
  5. Click Calculate — see the per-person share.

Worked Example

Example: 600 km trip, 9.0 L/100km, $1.65/L, 4 passengers → 54 L fuel × $1.65 = $89.10 total ÷ 4 = $22.28 per person.

Reference Table

PassengersTotal $90 TripTotal $120 TripTotal $60 Trip
1$90.00$120.00$60.00
2$45.00$60.00$30.00
3$30.00$40.00$20.00
4$22.50$30.00$15.00
5$18.00$24.00$12.00
6$15.00$20.00$10.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Should the driver pay a different share?

Many groups split purely equally. However if the driver bore costs like insurance or wear-and-tear, adding a $5–10 driver surcharge per passenger is common. This calculator splits equally; adjust manually if needed.

Can I use MPG instead of L/100km?

Enter your MPG value converted to L/100km first (use the Fuel Economy Converter). Alternatively: Fuel (gallons) = Distance (miles) ÷ MPG, then cost = gallons × price per gallon, then divide by passengers.

How do I estimate fuel economy for a loaded car?

A full car with luggage typically uses 5–15% more fuel than the manufacturer's stated figure. For a car rated at 8 L/100km, use 8.5–9.2 for a heavily loaded trip calculation.

What if we stop to refuel at different prices?

Use the average price across stops, or run the calculator twice (one for each fuel price segment) and add the per-person costs together.