ROAD TRIP COST CALCULATOR
Calculate Gas, Food, Lodging & Total Trip Cost • Split Among Travelers
> TRIP DETAILS
Round trip or one-way distance
How many people splitting costs
Number of days on the road
> ⛽ GAS COSTS
Miles per gallon (city/highway average)
Current average price along route
> 🍔 FOOD COSTS
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Average cost per meal
💡 Tip: Fast food $8-12, casual dining $15-25, sit-down $25-40 per person
> 🏨 LODGING COSTS
Usually days – 1 for one-way trips
Hotel/Airbnb per night (total, not per person)
💡 Tip: Budget motels $60-90, mid-range $100-150, nice hotels $150-250 per night
> 💰 OTHER COSTS
Total tolls + parking fees
Museums, attractions, etc.
Coffee, snacks, souvenirs
TOTAL TRIP COST
$0.00
> COST BREAKDOWN
> DETAILED BREAKDOWN
> HOW TO ESTIMATE COSTS
⛽ Gas Cost Formula
- Gallons needed: Total miles ÷ MPG
- Total gas cost: Gallons × Price per gallon
- Example: 600 miles ÷ 25 MPG = 24 gallons × $3.50 = $84 in gas
- Find MPG: Check car manual, EPA ratings, or track your own (miles driven ÷ gallons filled)
- Gas prices: Use GasBuddy app to find cheapest stations along your route
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Gas: Fill up at wholesale clubs (Costco, Sam’s), use GasBuddy to find cheap stations, maintain steady speed (60-65 mph optimal)
- Food: Pack snacks & drinks, eat breakfast at hotel (free), cook one meal in Airbnb kitchen, avoid tourist traps
- Lodging: Book midweek (cheaper than weekends), use hotel loyalty points, consider camping ($20-40/night)
- Tolls: Use toll calculator apps, get E-ZPass for discounts, plan routes to avoid expensive toll roads
- Overall: Travel off-season, split rental car costs, use credit card rewards for hotels
🎯 Budget vs Reality
- Add 15-20% buffer: Unexpected costs ALWAYS happen (car trouble, detours, impulse stops)
- Track as you go: Use apps like Splitwise to track actual spending vs budget
- Per-person makes sense: Split gas, lodging, and shared meals evenly
- Set daily limits: Budget $X per day and stick to it to avoid overspending
> MORE TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLS
Complete your trip planning with these free calculators:
💰 Trip Budget Calculator
Plan complete vacation budgets for flights, hotels, activities & more!
Plan Budget →👥 Group Trip Splitter
Split road trip costs fairly. Track expenses & see who owes who!
Split Costs →⏱️ Vacation Countdown
Count down to your road trip. Build excitement & get reminders!
Start Countdown →💸 Travel Tip Calculator
Know how much to tip at roadside diners & hotels across America!
Calculate Tips →✈️ Flight vs Drive Calculator
Compare driving costs vs flying. Find the cheapest option!
Compare Options →