Distance
Use a road route distance, not a straight line. Preset distances are approximate; add side trips and use the detour margin.
Australia road trips
Road trip fuel cost calculator
Estimate the petrol for an Australian drive in a hire car before you book: distance, the car's fuel use and the price per litre, with a margin for detours and the cost split between travellers.
Work out the fuel for your drive
Pick a route or type your own distance, then add the car's fuel use and the price you expect to pay.
These are rough examples, not official figures. Look up a model's tested fuel use on the Green Vehicle Guide, and expect more on dirt, with a roof load or towing.
Fuel use
Litres per 100 km can rise with speed, weight, gravel and headwinds. Use a tested figure for a similar make and model in the Green Vehicle Guide as an estimate, then allow a margin for a loaded car on country roads.
Price
Check FuelCheck, FuelWatch or MyFuelNT for current station prices, then estimate for the fuel stops along your route.
Fuel cost questions
How do I work out the fuel cost of a road trip in Australia?
Multiply the distance by the car's fuel use in litres per 100 km and divide by 100 to get litres, then multiply by the price per litre. The calculator does this and adds a margin for detours; for a return trip it doubles the distance.
Where can I find a hire car's real fuel use?
Look up tested fuel consumption for a specific make and model in the Green Vehicle Guide. A hire booking may supply a category rather than a guaranteed model, so use a similar vehicle's result as an estimate and allow a margin.
Where can I check fuel prices before I drive?
Check FuelCheck (NSW), FuelWatch (WA) or MyFuelNT (NT) for prices at stations along your route. Prices vary by location, especially on highway and remote stretches, so compare the stops you are likely to use.
Is it worth doing a one-way trip instead of driving back?
On long routes the fuel for the return leg can cost as much as a one-way fee, and it uses days of your trip. Compare a return trip with a one-way hire in the search: one-way fees and availability depend on the company and the drop-off city.