Fuel Economy Comparison Calculator
Enter a distance, each vehicle's fuel economy, and the fuel price to compare their fuel costs.
How fuel cost comparison works
This calculator divides the distance by each vehicle's miles per gallon to find how many gallons each would use, then multiplies by the fuel price to find the total cost — the difference between the two costs is your potential savings from choosing the more efficient vehicle.
Using an annual mileage figure (like 12,000 or 15,000 miles) gives a useful yearly fuel cost comparison, which is often more meaningful for a purchase decision than comparing cost over a single trip.
Frequently asked questions
What distance should I use to compare two vehicles I'm considering buying?
Your typical annual mileage is usually most useful, since it gives a yearly fuel cost difference you can weigh against the vehicles' price difference or other costs like insurance and maintenance.
Does this account for fuel price differences between vehicle types?
No — this assumes both vehicles use the same fuel type and price. If comparing a gas vehicle to a diesel or an electric vehicle, you'd need separate price-per-unit figures for each fuel type.
How much does fuel economy actually affect total cost of ownership?
Fuel cost is a significant but not the only factor — purchase price, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, and financing costs also matter significantly. This calculator addresses fuel cost specifically, not total ownership cost.