Road Trip Fuel Estimator
Estimate fuel time and cost for delivery routes. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Formula
Total Cost = (Distance/MPG × Fuel Price) + (Total Time/60 × Driver Wage)
Route cost combines fuel expenses and labor costs. Distance is stops × average distance between. Time includes driving and stop duration.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Urban Delivery Route
Problem:Courier: 15 stops, 2 miles between each, 6 min/stop, 22 MPG van, $3.80 gas, $22/hr driver.
Solution:Distance: 15 × 2 = 30 miles Drive time: 30 / 30 mph = 60 min Stop time: 15 × 6 = 90 min Total: 150 min = 2.5 hours Fuel: 30 / 22 = 1.36 gallons × $3.80 = $5.17 Labor: 2.5 × $22 = $55.00 Total cost: $60.17 Per stop: $60.17 / 15 = $4.01
Result:2.5 hours | $60 total | $4/stop | 1.4 gallons
Example 2: Rural Large Package Route
Problem:Furniture delivery: 6 stops, 12 miles between, 25 min/stop, 12 MPG truck, $3.50 gas, $28/hr driver.
Solution:Distance: 6 × 12 = 72 miles Drive time: 72 / 40 mph = 108 min (rural speed) Stop time: 6 × 25 = 150 min Total: 258 min = 4.3 hours Fuel: 72 / 12 = 6 gallons × $3.50 = $21.00 Labor: 4.3 × $28 = $120.40 Total: $141.40 Per stop: $23.57
Result:4.3 hours | $141 total | $24/stop | 6 gallons
Example 3: Optimized Multi-Stop
Problem:Before optimization: 20 stops, 4 miles avg. After: 3 miles avg via routing software. Calculate savings.
Solution:Before: Distance: 20 × 4 = 80 miles Fuel: 80 / 18 = 4.44 gal × $3.50 = $15.54 Time: 80/30 + 20×8 = 160 + 160 = 320 min Labor: 5.33 × $25 = $133.25 Total: $148.79 After (optimized): Distance: 20 × 3 = 60 miles (-25%) Fuel: 60 / 18 = 3.33 gal × $3.50 = $11.67 Time: 60/30 + 20×8 = 120 + 160 = 280 min Labor: 4.67 × $25 = $116.75 Total: $128.42 Savings: $20.37/route (14%)
Result:15% optimization | Save $20/route | $400/month for daily routes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fuel can route optimization save?
Typical savings: 10-30% reduction in miles driven, equating to similar fuel savings. For a fleet doing 50,000 miles annually, 20% reduction saves 10,000 miles and ~$5,000/vehicle in fuel alone.
How do I calculate cost per stop?
Total route cost (fuel + labor + vehicle depreciation + insurance) divided by number of stops. Helps price delivery services and identify unprofitable routes.
How do electric vehicles change route planning?
EVs require range planning with charging stops. Lower fuel costs but charging time (20-40 min) affects route feasibility. Optimal for short urban routes (<100 miles); challenging for long rural routes.
How do I calculate fuel costs for a road trip?
Divide total trip distance by your car's MPG to get gallons needed, then multiply by the price per gallon. Example: 500 miles at 25 MPG = 20 gallons x $3.50 = $70 in fuel. Use GasBuddy to find prices along your route and add 10% for city driving and detours.