Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
Rates & sources
DVLA, HMRC fuel advisory rates and manufacturer-published figures. Real-world results vary by driving style.
Source: DVLA / HMRC fuel advisory rates — check the linked guidance and any live quote before acting.
When to use this calculator
- When you need a fast estimate before making a bigger decision.
- When you want to compare a few scenarios using the same assumptions.
- When you need a clearer starting point before using a detailed quote or formal document.
- When you want to sanity-check a figure you have seen elsewhere.
A realistic UK planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Miles Per Year | 5 years |
| MPG (Miles Per Gallon) | 40 |
| Fuel Price Per Litre (£) | £0.30 |
After entering these figures, review annual fuel cost, monthly and cost per mile together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Annual Fuel Cost
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Monthly
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Cost Per Mile
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator estimates fuel costs for a journey or over a given period based on the distance travelled, your car's fuel economy (in MPG or L/100km), and the current fuel price per litre. It applies a straightforward formula: distance divided by fuel economy gives litres consumed, which is then multiplied by the price per litre. The result does not include oil top-ups, AdBlue costs for diesel cars, or the efficiency impact of carrying heavy loads and using roof boxes. Fuel economy varies with driving conditions, so for planning purposes consider entering a figure 10–15% worse than your car's official rating to get a more realistic estimate of real-world costs.
Common mistakes
- !Using optimistic assumptions without testing a more cautious scenario.
- !Comparing outputs from different tools without checking that the inputs match.
- !Treating the result as a final quote instead of a planning estimate.
- !Rounding inputs too aggressively.
What to do next
- Try at least one more scenario so you can compare a realistic range.
- Use the related calculators below to cross-check the decision from another angle.
- Write down the key outputs from your best scenarios before you decide.
- If the result surprises you, change one input at a time to isolate the driver.
Frequently asked
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