Fuel Cost Calculator UK | Calculate cost of fuel for your journey

Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to instantly work out the fuel cost needed for your next trip. Input all the details into our calculator and get accurate fuel consumption cost for one-way or return journey.

What is a Fuel cost calculator?

A fuel cost calculator is an important tool for drivers across the United Kingdom to evaluate petrol and diesel costs for a particular trip. Knowing the journey cost beforehand helps you plan your budget accordingly. The calculator along with the MPG calculator allows you to learn accurate fuel consumption and mileage for a vehicle.

In the following paragraphs, we run down details on the mechanism of the calculator and its benefits in fuel economy.

Step-by-step guide to using our Fuel cost calculator

The calculator is simple to use. Just follow the given steps to make maximum use of it.

• Step 1: enter the distance in miles you travelled or you are going to travel.
• Step 2: if you do not estimate the distance, check Google Maps and point out the distance between your starting point and the point of destination.
• Step 3: if you want to calculate the fuel consumption cost for the return journey, you need to check the “Return Journey” box.
• Step 4: Now, enter the number of people including the driver.
• Step 5: then, enter your car’s Miles per Gallon (MPG).
• Step 6: enter the current petrol or diesel cost in the pence/litre.
• Step 7: Click the “calculate” button to calculate the journey cost, fuel needed for the journey, and cost per person.

How to calculate  fuel consumption cost for a journey

Let’s say, you travelled a distance of 100 miles.

    The number of people in your car is 4 (including you)

    Miles per Gallon (MPG) = 30

    Miles per Litre (MPL) = 6.60 (Using MPG to MPL converter)

The current diesel price in the UK = 145.20 pence/ litre

Assume, non-optimal driving offset = 10% or 0.10

So, the litre of fuel needed = (Distance / MPL) = 100 / 6.6 = 15.15 litres

Adjusted litre of fuels = litre of fuel needed * (1+ non-optimal driving offset)

          = 15.15 * 1.10 = 16.67 litres

So, fuel consumption cost = 16.67 * 145.20 = 2420.48 

And, cost of fuel per person = 2420.48 / 4 = 605.12 

Factors Affecting Fuel Prices in the UK

In the UK context, several factors create fluctuations in petrol and diesel prices. Some of these factors are static while some are extremely volatile. I have listed down four major components that largely impact fuel prices:

• Global oil market volatility: the market of global crude oil is a major driver for fuel price hikes. The factors that affect this market volatility are geo-political tensions, distribution cost, and disruption in demand.
• Exchange rates & weakening pound sterling: exchange rates play a major role in determining fuel costs in the UK. When the British pound sterling falls against the US dollar, the cost of importing crude oil significantly rises. Recently, economic factors due to Brexit have created fluctuations in oil prices in the UK and Europe at large.
• Supply chain disruptions: The closing down of industries due to strikes, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic have created disruptions in fuel supply and distribution. Additionally, continuous wars in Middle East Asia have contributed to the supply of oil from those respective regions.
• Taxes: several consumer taxes like value-added tax (VAT) have reduced the purchasing power of Britons. Buyers are hesitant to buy fuel due to its high prices.

Fuel cost breakdown: A guide for UK drivers

Vehicle Type	Average MPG	Fuel Price (in pence/litre)	Distance (in miles)	Total fuel cost
Small Car	50	1.50	100	10
Medium Car	40	1.50	100	12.50
Large Car	30	1.50	100	16.67
Diesel Van	25	1.60	100	16
SUVs	25	1.50	100	16.67
Electric Vehicle	N/A	N/A	100	3

Effective ways to reduce fuel cost

• Whether you are going for work or a journey, choose carpooling or car sharing to save fuel costs. You can go for a ride arranging one or more people in a single vehicle.
• Public transportation is an effective way to reduce petrol and diesel consumption. You can use the public bus and train instead of your car as the car consumes a high amount of fuel. Use GPS navigation like Google Maps to avoid traffic jams.
• Your driving habits have a big impact on your fuel expenditure. Smooth driving helps you save money on fuel. Keep some tips in mind while driving:
  • Avoid fast acceleration and harsh braking.
  • Keep your car’s speed high and set speed limitations.
  • If the road is mountainous, drive slowly and use tires of proper tread depth.
  • Use engine oil when needed. It makes your engine run smoothly.
• Turn off your car engine when the car is idle. Unnecessary fuel consumption leads to unnecessary fuel costs. Telematics technology will help you turn your car engine off when your car is at the parking slot.

Benefits of using the calculator for a long trip

• It helps you optimize your fuel costs and plan your financial budget for a long trip.
• It gives you insights into mileage and fuel consumption so that you can buy the best fuel-efficient cars.
• Moreover, you can make an effective route plan to reach your destination as fast as possible at the least cost
• The calculator provides you with the current fuel prices and takes appropriate measures to cut expenditures on fuel.

Final words

To conclude, our fuel cost calculator for the UK helps individuals who possess a car and businesses to trim unnecessary expenses on fuel. Using this calculator, you can plan travel routes and buy fuel-efficient cars beforehand. The calculator also emphasises cost-saving practices to keep carbon emissions in check. Furthermore, integrating our calculator to your day-to-day life will help you adjust monthly or annual budgeting. So, utilize this calculator to build a more sustainable future.