Fuel Consumption Calculator
Estimate trip fuel use, adjust for route conditions, and compare fuel range and reserve needs in one planning view.
⛽Trip Presets
⚙Fuel Planning Inputs
📊Vehicle Comparison Grid
📘Fuel Reference Tables
| Economy Unit | To L/100 km | To mpg US | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| mpg US | 235.2146 / mpg | Direct input | Most common US format |
| mpg Imp | 282.4809 / mpg | Higher gal size | Imperial gallon standard |
| km/L | 100 / kmL | 37.96 / kmL | Simple metric efficiency |
| L/100 km | Direct input | 235.2146 / rate | Lower is better |
| Drive Condition | Multiplier | Effect | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed route | 1.00x | Baseline trip | Average commute |
| City stop-and-go | 1.18x | More idle fuel | Urban traffic |
| Open highway | 0.92x | Smoother use | Steady cruise |
| Towing or heavy load | 1.35x | Large demand rise | Trailer or cargo |
| Tank Size | Metric | Range @ 8 L/100 km | Range @ 12 L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small car tank | 45 L | 562 km | 375 km |
| Compact SUV tank | 55 L | 688 km | 458 km |
| Camper van tank | 75 L | 938 km | 625 km |
| Towing tank | 90 L | 1,125 km | 750 km |
| Trip Pattern | Distance | Economy | Fuel Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend run | 120 mi | 28 mpg US | 4.3 gal |
| Loaded van day | 200 mi | 18 mpg US | 11.1 gal |
| Mixed commuter | 90 km | 7.8 L/100 km | 7.0 L |
| Mountain loop | 160 km | 10.5 L/100 km | 16.8 L |
Fuel planning is the process of calculating how much fuel a vehicle will use during the trip. Fuel planning is necessary to account for variables that may impacts fuel consumption other than the specifications provide by the manufacturer. While the car manufacturers rates the fuel economy of there products under ideal conditions, it is impossible to drive a vehicle under these ideal conditions.
Therefore, if fuel consumption isnt planned for these variable, its possible for a vehicle to run out of fuel prior to reaching a fuel station. Several factor impact the fuel consumption of a vehicle. One of these factors is the weight of the vehicle and any trailers attach to the vehicle.
How to Plan Fuel for a Trip
The heavier the trailer, the more fuel the vehicle will consume. Another factor is the wind. If the vehicle is traveling against the wind, the vehicle will have to travel against resistance in the air.
This scenario will increase the fuel consumption of the vehicle by 10 percent. The terrain also impact fuel consumption. If the vehicle is driving uphill, it will consume more fuel.
It is assumed that the fuel consumption rate will be 1.22 times the base fuel consumption rate for vehicle ascending a mountain grade. The third factor is the efficiency of the vehicle based off the location of the drive. If the vehicle is in a city, there will likely be idling and stop-and-go traffic scenario that will reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Fuel consumption will increase due to idling, and there will be a multiplier to the fuel consumption estimate for such scenarios. Highway driving scenario will exhibit better fuel efficiency but will also experience an impact from the speed at which the vehicle is traveling. Fuel consumption rates will be more higher for a vehicle traveling a steady 55 to 65 miles per hour on the highway.
The fourth factor to consider is the make and model of the car being driven. For example, a compact car consumes 5.8 liter of fuel per 100 kilometers when unladen. A mid-size SUV may consume 9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.
A camper van will consume more fuel than an SUV and compact car. The fuel consumption rate for a camper van is 12 liter per 100 kilometers when the van is loaded with luggage and passengers. A towing rig will use even more fuel due to the additional weight of the trailer.
Larger vehicles will consume more fuel than smaller car. It is important to consider the type of vehicle when fuel planning. Other factors that may impact fuel consumption are the maintenance of the vehicle and any accessory attached to the vehicle.
Underinflated tires will create more drag against the vehicle, thereby forcing the engine to work harder to move the vehicle. Underinflated tires will reduce fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Other accessories, such as roof racks, will also impact fuel efficiency due to the increased drag on the vehicle.
Any vehicle with roof racks will use more fuel than a vehicle without roof rack. When planning a fuel load for a vehicle, it is important to ensure that the units of measurement are consistent. Some regions use miles per gallon as a unit of measurement for fuel consumption, but other regions in the world use liters per 100 kilometers.
Mixing these units will lead to error when calculating fuel needs for a trip. It is important to pick one system of units for fuel consumption and to use that system for fuel planning. It is important to leave a fuel reserve in the vehicles fuel tank.
A fuel reserve is the amount of fuel left in the tank that is not used for the main fuel consumption for the trip. It is recommended to leave at least 10 to 20 percent of the tanks total fuel capacity in the fuel reserve. This fuel reserve will provide enough fuel to overtake any detours, closed roads, or heavy traffic on the trip.
Planning for a 10 percent fuel reserve will provide enough fuel to account for unexpected obstacle. Following are the steps that should of be used in fuel planning. First, calculate the total distance of the trip.
Second, determine the fuel economy of the specific vehicle that will be used for the trip. Third, adjust the fuel economy for the weight, wind, and terrain scenario. Fourth, calculate the total fuel that will be needed to travel the distance of the trip.
Fifth, calculate the fuel reserve that will be needed for the trip. Finally, calculate the amount of fuel that should be added to the vehicle according to the current fuel level in the vehicle.
