Calculate Fuel Cost for Semi-Trucks & Cars
Managing fuel expenses is a crucial aspect of trucking operations, and our user-friendly calculator helps truck owners and operators estimate their fuel costs with ease. Simplify your fuel cost calculations and take control of your trucking expenses with our intuitive and efficient tool.
Why Is Fuel Cost Important To Know?
When it comes to semi-trucks, the average cost of fuel (specifically, diesel prices) is crucial. Not only does it influence short-term cash flow, but it also significantly impacts overall profitability for owner-operators, trucking companies, and solo truckers.
As such, knowing your truck’s miles per gallon can help you:
- Save money
- Calculate CPM
- Optimize routes
- Keep an eye on carbon emissions
- Estimate overall operating expenses
Many providers offer truck drivers fuel cards and implement fuel efficiency programs to help manage the cost of diesel fuel and ensure their drivers stay within the budget.
Formula Used
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Fuel Efficiency) * Fuel Price
In this formula:
- Distance is the total distance traveled by the truck in miles.
- Fuel Efficiency is the number of miles the truck can travel per gallon of fuel.
- Fuel Price is the cost of one gallon of fuel.
- To calculate the fuel cost, you divide the distance by the fuel efficiency to determine the total number of gallons of fuel consumed. Then, you multiply that by the fuel price to obtain the total fuel cost.
Examples Of Semi-Truck Fuel Cost Calculations
| Distance (miles) | Fuel Efficiency (mpg) | Fuel Price ($/gallon) | Fuel Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 6 | 3.50 | 291.67 |
| 1000 | 7 | 3.00 | 428.57 |
FAQs
What will my semi-truck fuel cost be for 850 miles at 6.5 mpg with diesel at $3.85 per gallon?
You’ll use about 130.77 gallons (850 ÷ 6.5). At $3.85 per gallon, your total fuel cost is roughly $503.46.
How do I calculate fuel cost for any trip using distance, mpg, and price per gallon?
Use Fuel Cost = (Distance ÷ MPG) × Price per gallon. First, divide your trip distance by your vehicle’s miles per gallon to get gallons needed. Then multiply gallons by the local fuel price to get total cost.
What’s my fuel cost per mile if my truck gets 7 mpg and diesel is $3.60?
Cost per mile = Price per gallon ÷ MPG, so $3.60 ÷ 7 ≈ $0.51 per mile. Multiply that by your trip miles to estimate the total fuel spend.
How many gallons of diesel will I use on a 500-mile haul at 6 mpg?
Gallons used = Distance ÷ MPG, so 500 ÷ 6 ≈ 83.33 gallons. Entering these values in the calculator quickly confirms the estimate.
How much will it cost to drive 1,000 miles at 7 mpg with diesel at $3.00 per gallon?
You’ll need about 142.86 gallons (1,000 ÷ 7), which at $3.00 per gallon totals roughly $428.57. This matches the example in the calculator.
What factors cause diesel and gasoline prices to rise or fall?
Prices move with crude oil costs, supply and demand, and refining costs and margins. Distribution and marketing, taxes, currency exchange rates, and government policies and regulations also play major roles.