Fuel Estimator
Enter a distance, your fuel economy and your tank size to see how much fuel you'll use, how many fill-ups you'll need, and your range on a full tank.
Fuel needed
48.0 gal
181.7 L
Fill-ups needed
4
At a 14.0-gal tank
Range on a full tank
350 mi
563 km
Tank size
14.0 gal
53.0 L
How it's calculated
Fuel needed uses the same distance-to-fuel formula as the Fuel Cost Calculator; fill-ups and range build on top of it:
fill-ups needed = ceiling(fuel needed ÷ tank size)
range on a full tank = tank size ÷ economy (as a distance)
Worked example
The calculator's own defaults: a 1,200-mile trip at 25 mpg (US), with a 14-gallon tank.
| Fuel needed | 48.0 gal |
| Fill-ups needed | 4 |
| Range on a full tank | 350 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the fuel estimator figure out how many fill-ups I'll need?
It divides the total fuel needed for the distance by your tank size and rounds up -- a trip that needs 1.3 tanks of fuel needs 2 fill-ups, since you can't buy a partial one. The last fill-up will usually be well under a full tank.
What's 'range on a full tank' based on?
Your tank size divided by your fuel economy, converted to a distance -- effectively, how far a completely full tank would take you at your entered economy. Real range is usually a bit less, since most drivers don't run a tank down to empty before refueling.
Should I use my tank's rated capacity or its usable capacity?
Rated capacity (what's printed in your owner's manual) is the more common input and what most people know, but if you have a more accurate usable-capacity figure (accounting for a reserve that's hard to actually use), that will give a more realistic fill-up count.
Can I enter my tank size in liters instead of gallons?
Yes -- toggle the tank size field to liters. The fuel-needed and fill-up calculations convert internally so the units you use for the tank don't need to match the units you used for economy or distance.
These are estimates; real consumption varies with driving, load and conditions. This site isn't affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer, utility, or the US Energy Information Administration -- see the Terms.