Road Trip Cost Calculator

Calculate total road trip cost including fuel, hotels, meals, and tolls. Compare with flying costs.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

miles
mpg
$/gal

Total Trip Cost

$73.21

$36.61 per person

Fuel Cost

$73.21

Gallons Needed

17.9

Cost per Person

$36.61

Cost Breakdown

Fuel$73.21
Total$73.21

Driving vs. Flying

Driving (total)$73.21
Flying (~$300/person x 2)$600.00
Savings$526.79 cheaper to drive

Use the Road Trip Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and the assumptions described on this page.

How It Works

Planning a road trip? Our calculator estimates your total spending on fuel, accommodation, meals and tolls. Understanding these costs upfront is crucial for budgeting, especially with U.S. regular gasoline averaging $4.48 a gallon in the week of September 21, 2026 (EIA), up from about $3.17 a year earlier.

Fuel cost is distance ÷ MPG × the gas price you enter. Hotels are nights × the nightly rate. Meals are meals per day × average cost per meal × passengers × days, where days is the number of hotel nights plus one. Tolls are added as a single amount, and the total is also shown per person. The driving-versus-flying line uses a flat $300 per passenger for airfare, so check real fares for your route before deciding.

Don't forget to factor in unexpected maintenance or a buffer for impulse purchases. Hotel prices also move with demand, so check rates for your actual dates rather than relying on a typical nightly figure.

Cross-Country Adventure: NYC to LA (2,800 miles)

  1. 1 Input: Distance 2,800 miles, 30 MPG, gas $4.48 a gallon (EIA's U.S. regular average for the week of September 21, 2026), 2 passengers, 5 hotel nights at $180, 3 meals a day at $15 per person, and $70 in tolls.
  2. 2 Fuel: 2,800 ÷ 30 = 93.33 gallons × $4.48 = $418.13. Hotels: 5 × $180 = $900. Meals: 3 × $15 × 2 people × 6 days (5 nights + 1) = $540. Tolls: $70.
  3. 3 Total: $418.13 + $900 + $540 + $70 = $1,928.13, or $964.07 per person.
  4. 4 The calculator's flying line uses a flat $300 per passenger, $600 for two, so it shows flying $1,328.13 cheaper. Real one-way fares for your dates, plus a rental car at the destination, decide the comparison, and the drive also takes six days that a flight does not.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate total road trip cost?
Add fuel cost (distance / MPG x price per gallon), lodging ($80-200/night), meals ($30-75/person/day), tolls (check state toll calculators), and a buffer for activities and emergencies (10-20% of subtotal).
Is it cheaper to drive or fly for a road trip?
Driving is often cheaper for 1-4 people traveling under 500 miles one-way, especially since you save on rental car costs at your destination. Flying becomes more economical for solo travelers going 500+ miles or when gas prices are high.
How much should I budget for food on a road trip?
Budget $30-50 per person per day for moderate spending (mix of fast food and sit-down restaurants). Bringing a cooler with snacks and drinks can reduce costs to $15-25 per person per day.

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