Don’t forget to add the cost of gas to your next road trip, as it can add up quickly! Check our estimates and some route suggestions for your next trip.
Get a deal on a rental car no matter where you start your trip!
You’ve finally decided to take the leap and go on an awesome road trip. You’ve planned the route, bookmarked a few sites and hotels that caught your eye and grabbed enough snacks to last you through the apocalypse.
But, suddenly, you remember that you forgot to calculate the cost of fuel for your road trip. While this can be an overwhelming part of a road trip, it doesn’t have to be. Our road trip gas calculator can help make your trip stress-free.
How many miles does 1 gallon get you?
Different types of cars can affect your mileage (that is, how many miles you’ll get per gallon of gasoline). Gas mileage can depend on many factors, including the size of your car, how fast you drive and if you’re driving in a city or on the highway. Even the outside temperature can affect how many miles one gallon will get you!
Below are the miles per gallon of nine popular rental car statistics. We’ll use these statistics in the rest of this post. You can compare your own car or a rental car to the nine mentioned here.
We also recommend checking out AAA’s handy road trip gas calculator when planning your next road trip.
| 9 popular rental cars | ||
| Economy | Kia Rio | 32 city/41 highway MPG |
| Compact | Toyota Corolla | 32 city/41 highway MPG |
| Midsize | Hyundai Sonata | 28 city/38 highway MPG |
| Standard | Honda Accord | 29 city/37 highway MPG |
| Full-size | Chrysler 300 | 19 city/30 highway MPG |
| Luxury | BMW 7 Series | 25 city/31 highway MPG |
| SUVs | Ford Explorer | 27 city/28 highway MPG |
| Minivans | Nissan Quest | 20 city/27 highway MPG |
| Passenger van | Ford Transit | 24 city/27 highway MPG |
500 miles – Dallas to New Orleans road trip
Travelers can complete this road trip from Dallas in about eight to 10 hours without stopping. It’s chock full of history and interesting pit stops. Check out the Spellman Museum of Forney History, the Lafayette Science Museum and the Oak Alley Plantation.
Once you’re in New Orleans, relish in the city’s exotic culture, the colorful buildings and vibrant nightlife of the French Quarter and the history of Jackson Square.
If you’re short on time and budget but want to see two very different U.S. states, this is the road trip for you!
Gas calculation:
| Kia Rio | $40.56 |
| Toyota Corolla | $40.56 |
| Hyundai Sonata | $43.76 |
| Honda Accord | $44.94 |
| Chrysler 300 | $55.43 |
| BMW 7 Series | $53.64 |
| Ford Explorer | $61.59 |
| Nissan Quest | $61.59 |
| Ford Transit | $63.96 |
1,000 miles – San Diego to Cabo San Lucas road trip
On this California to Mexico road trip, you’ll cruise over mountains, along the secluded coastline, past barren desert and through deep green valleys. You’ll start your trip with beaches and the harbor in the lively city of San Diego.
Experience some of the best beaches in North America and see gorgeous scenery that differs immensely from the rest of the country. You’ll start in the United States and finish up in Mexico, so you’ll have the chance to experience an entirely new culture, food, celebrations, language and country.
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Lovers Beach and Medano Beach are some spectacular sites you’ll see once you arrive in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Gas calculation:
| Kia Rio | $113.72 |
| Toyota Corolla | $113.72 |
| Hyundai Sonata | $122.69 |
| Honda Accord | $126.01 |
| Chrysler 300 | $155.41 |
| BMW 7 Series | $155.41 |
| Ford Explorer | $172.68 |
| Nissan Quest | $172.68 |
| Ford Transit | $179.32 |
2,778 miles – Los Angeles to New York road trip
This coast-to-coast road trip takes around 42 hours if you’re driving nonstop. Plan your budget carefully with our road trip gas calculator. Then, depending on how much time you have and how you break up the trip, one to two weeks can have you stopping in some really scenic locations. By all means, take your time.
You’ll get to experience nearly every aspect of the U.S., starting with the expansive and astonishing beaches on the West Coast and ending with the lively, bustling cities on the East Coast. Taking in the sights of desolate deserts and striking national parks in between, this road trip is the best way to see a majority of the country on a decent budget.
You’ll have a diverse array of stops to make along the way. Whether you want to party in Las Vegas, hike down the Grand Canyon, visit Bryce Canyon, trek Zion National Park, hike the mountains of Colorado or visit the forests of Virginia, you can have a never-ending amount of experiences on this road trip.
Gas calculation:
| Kia Rio | $325.29 |
| Toyota Corolla | $325.29 |
| Hyundai Sonata | $350.97 |
| Honda Accord | $360.46 |
| Chrysler 300 | $444.57 |
| BMW 7 Series | $430.23 |
| Ford Explorer | $493.96 |
| Nissan Quest | $493.96 |
| Ford Transit | $512.96 |
Factors affecting fuel efficiency
Let’s explore some factors that can affect your vehicle’s fuel efficiency during a road trip.
- Vehicle type. Smaller and more aerodynamic vehicles tend to be more fuel-efficient than larger or less aerodynamic ones. This is because they experience less air resistance, allowing them to use less energy to maintain speed.
- Driving habits. Aggressive driving behaviors like sudden braking, excessive speeding and rapid acceleration can decrease fuel economy. These actions require more energy from the engine, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
- Road conditions. Driving on roads with unfavorable conditions like uphill slopes, rough terrain or heavy traffic can increase fuel consumption. Uphill driving, for instance, requires the engine to work harder, consuming more fuel to maintain speed.
- Maintenance and tune-ups. Regular vehicle maintenance, including oil changes, air filter replacements and tire inflation, can positively impact fuel efficiency. Properly maintained engines operate more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption.
- Load and cargo. Carrying excess weight or cargo in the vehicle can reduce fuel efficiency. The additional weight requires the engine to exert more effort to move the vehicle, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
- Fuel quality. The quality of the fuel used can affect fuel economy. Lower-quality fuels or those with higher ethanol content may have a lower energy density, leading to reduced fuel economy. High-quality fuels with optimal blends and additives can enhance fuel efficiency.
Tips for saving money on gas
Here are some tips for saving money on gas on your road trip:
- Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle. Opting for a fuel-efficient vehicle can save on fuel costs. Consider researching and selecting a fuel-efficient rental car to make economic choices during travel.
- Plan your route carefully. Planning your route helps you find the most efficient and direct path to your destination, avoiding unnecessary detours or traffic congestion. This can save both time and fuel.
- Maintain optimal tire pressure. Keeping your tires properly inflated is crucial for fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, requiring more energy to move the vehicle and leading to decreased fuel efficiency. Regularly check and maintain optimal tire pressure.
- Use cruise control. Using cruise control on highways or long stretches of road can help maintain a consistent speed, reducing unnecessary accelerations and decelerations that consume additional fuel.
- Close windows and use air conditioning. Open windows create aerodynamic drag, which decreases fuel efficiency. When driving at higher speeds, closing the windows and using the vehicle’s air conditioning system is more fuel-efficient.
- Consider fuel rewards programs. Look for fuel rewards programs offered by gas stations or credit card companies. These programs can provide discounts, cashback or loyalty points that can help save on fuel costs over time.
- Maintain vehicle maintenance. Regular vehicle maintenance, including oil changes, air filter replacements and spark plug checks, keeps the engine running efficiently and positively impacts fuel economy.
- Choose gas stations along the route. Before embarking on a trip, research and identify gas stations that offer competitive fuel prices. This way, you can plan to refuel at the most cost-effective locations along your route.
- Carpool or use public transportation. Sharing rides with others through carpooling or public transportation reduces the number of vehicles on the road. This saves on fuel costs, helps decrease traffic congestion and reduces carbon emissions.
Road trip FAQ
Embarking on a road trip? Our FAQ provides answers to common questions, offering valuable insights on gas prices, trip planning, tolls, car rentals and more.
According to AAA, today’s national gas price average is $3.543. However, gas prices can vary significantly across different regions and change frequently. Check reputable sources like the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) or AAA for up-to-date information on gas prices in your area.
Dividing the total trip distance by the vehicle’s fuel efficiency (measured in miles per gallon, or MPG) is a simple and useful method to estimate the number of gallons of fuel needed for a trip. This estimation can help you plan and budget for fuel expenses.
Follow these steps to calculate the estimated number of gallons needed:
– Determine the total trip distance. Identify the distance you’ll travel for the entire trip.
– Identify the vehicle’s fuel efficiency (MPG). Check your vehicle’s specifications or consult the manufacturer’s documentation to find the official or estimated MPG rating. This value represents the average number of miles the vehicle can travel on a gallon of fuel.
– Perform the calculation. Divide the total trip distance by the vehicle’s MPG rating. The formula is as follows:
Estimated gallons = total trip distance / MPG
For example, if the total trip distance is 500 miles and your vehicle has a fuel efficiency of 30 MPG, the calculation would be:
Estimated gallons = 500 miles / 30 MPG = 16.67 gallons
Based on the given figures, you’d need approximately 16.67 gallons of fuel to complete the trip.
Toll roads can add additional expenses to a road trip. They’re designed to fund the construction, maintenance and operation of specific roads or bridges and are typically financed through the collection of driver toll fees.
Remember to factor in potential toll expenses when considering the overall cost of a road trip. Consider the following when estimating the impact of tolls on the total cost of the trip:
– Research toll rates. Determine the toll rates along your planned route. Many toll authorities provide information about toll fees on their websites or through mapping tools. Look for toll calculators or rate charts to get an idea of the costs associated with each toll road you may encounter.
– Identify the number of tolls. Determine how many toll booths or plazas you’ll pass through on your journey. Each toll location incurs a separate charge. Take note of the toll locations to calculate the total number of tolls you’ll encounter.
– Calculate total toll expenses. Multiply the number of tolls by the respective toll fee for each location. This gives you an estimate of the total toll expenses for your trip.
– Add toll costs to the budget. Incorporate the estimated toll expenses into your overall trip budget. Including toll costs upfront will give you a more accurate estimation of the total trip expenses and prevent financial surprises along the way.
– Consider alternative routes. Minimize toll expenses by researching and considering alternative routes that are toll-free or have fewer tolls. Compare the additional time and distance of these alternatives to determine if the potential toll savings are worth the trade-off.
Toll rates can vary based on many factors, including vehicle type, time of travel (peak vs. off-peak) and whether you have an electronic toll transponder for potential discounts. Consider these factors when calculating toll expenses.
Renting a car for your road trip can enhance your travel experience, provide flexibility and eliminate the limitations of relying on your own vehicle. Rental cars are typically well-maintained and come with roadside assistance, providing peace of mind during your journey. Pick the best car for your trip and have an unforgettable experience.
Get ready to explore!
Now that you know how much money you should put aside for your road trip, it’s time to hit the road and explore the country! Since you can take so many incredible road trips in the U.S., choosing just one might be tricky. The three awesome starting points mentioned would each make for a grand adventure, and you can adjust each route to suit your interests.
Looking to rent a car for your road trip? Finding the perfect rental vehicle for your adventure is easy with Skyscanner. Whether you’re looking for one-way car rentals, need the convenience of adding additional drivers to lighten the load, require family-friendly SUVs or desire the luxury of a convertible, you can find exactly what you need!
