Fuel Cost per Mile Calculator (Compare Two Vehicles)
Enter the mileage and fuel price of two cars to compare their running cost.
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Fuel Cost per Mile Calculator (Compare Two Vehicles) by TheCalcTools
How the Fuel Cost per Mile Calculator (Compare Two Vehicles) works
Cost per mile = fuel price ÷ miles per gallon.
Multiply by yearly miles for the fuel bill of each vehicle.
Divide the extra purchase price of the efficient vehicle by the yearly saving for the payback time.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Miles driven per year | 12000 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle A fuel economy (mpg) | 18 |
| Vehicle A fuel price ($ per gallon) | $3.6 |
| Vehicle B fuel economy (mpg) | 45 |
| Vehicle B fuel price ($ per gallon) | $3.6 |
| Extra purchase price of B | $3000 |
- A at 18 mpg and $3.60: $3.60 ÷ 18 = $0.20 per mile. B at 45 mpg: $0.08 per mile.
- Over 12,000 miles A costs $2,400 and B $960, a saving of $1,440. The extra $3,000 pays back in 2.1 years.
Result:
| Vehicle A cost per mile | $0.20 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle B cost per mile | $0.08 |
| Vehicle A fuel per year | $2,400 |
| Vehicle B fuel per year | $960 |
| Saving per year with B | $1,440 |
| Payback on the extra price (years) | 2.1 |
| Gallons per year, A | 667 |
| Gallons per year, B | 267 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good fuel cost per mile?
At $3.60 a gallon, a 30 mpg car costs $0.12 per mile; a 50 mpg hybrid costs $0.07.
Do I count insurance and maintenance?
This tool covers fuel only. Add maintenance, tires and insurance separately for total cost of ownership.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.