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TravelCostKit

Fuel cost · Australia

Australian fuel cost calculator for road trips

From a weekend down the coast to a run across the Nullarbor, enter the kilometres, your car's L/100km and the price per litre to see what the fuel will cost.

Your trip

km
L/100 km

Lower is better. Check your owner's manual or label.

$/ litre

Example value — enter the price you actually pay.

Estimated petrol cost

A$162.45

Total distance
900 km
Fuel needed
85.5 litres
Cost per km
A$0.181
Economy in other units
9.5 L/100km · 24.8 US mpg · 29.7 UK mpg

Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada

How the cost is calculated

litres = km × (L/100km) ÷ 100
cost = litres × price per litre

Worked example

A 900 km trip in a car using 9.5 L/100km needs 900 × 9.5 ÷ 100 = 85.5 litres. At $1.90 a litre that's $162.45 one way.

Tips for Australian road trips

  • The Green Vehicle Guide lists official L/100km figures. Real-world use is often higher — especially with a loaded 4WD, roof racks, a caravan or at 110 km/h.
  • Towing can raise consumption a lot. If you tow, use your own measured figure rather than the brochure number.
  • In remote areas, roadhouses can be far apart and fuel is often dearer than in cities. Plan stops, and use a higher average price for outback legs.
  • The ACCC has reported that petrol prices in some capital cities move in regular cycles, so the day you fill up can matter.

Petrol, diesel or LPG

The maths works for any fuel sold by the litre — just use the right consumption figure and price. We don't fetch prices; the default is an example only.

Comparing a drive with a domestic flight? Use the driving vs flying calculator. Splitting costs with mates? Try the trip expense splitter.

Frequently asked questions

Is lower L/100km better?
Yes. It's litres used per 100 km, so a smaller number means less fuel.
Can I calculate a return trip?
Tick “Round trip” and the distance is doubled.
Does it work for caravans and towing?
Yes, as long as you enter the consumption while towing, which is usually much higher than the official figure.
Are prices live?
No. Enter the price you see at the bowser; the default is an example.

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