Cost of Petrol Calculator

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cost of petrol calculator
Single Trip CostRound Trip CostWeekly Commute (5 Days)Monthly Fuel Budget (30 Days)
Results:
Total Cost: $0.00
function calculatePetrol(){var dist=parseFloat(document.getElementById('distance').value);var eff=parseFloat(document.getElementById('efficiency').value);var price=parseFloat(document.getElementById('price').value);var type=document.getElementById('calc_type').value;var showSteps=document.getElementById('steps').checked;if(isNaN(dist)||isNaN(eff)||isNaN(price)){alert('Please enter valid numeric values for distance, efficiency, and price.');return;}var factor=1;var typeLabel="Single Trip";if(type==="round"){factor=2;typeLabel="Round Trip";}else if(type==="weekly"){factor=10;typeLabel="Weekly Commute (5 days round trip)";}else if(type==="monthly"){factor=60;typeLabel="Monthly Commute (30 days round trip)";}var totalDist=dist*factor;var fuelNeeded=(totalDist/100)*eff;var totalCost=fuelNeeded*price;document.getElementById('resultValue').innerHTML=totalCost.toFixed(2);var breakdownDiv=document.getElementById('breakdown');if(showSteps){breakdownDiv.style.display='block';breakdownDiv.innerHTML='Breakdown:
Type: '+typeLabel+'
Total Distance: '+totalDist.toFixed(2)+' km
Fuel Consumption: '+fuelNeeded.toFixed(2)+' Litres
Calculation: ('+totalDist.toFixed(2)+' / 100) × '+eff+' × $'+price.toFixed(2);}else{breakdownDiv.style.display='none';}}

Using the Cost of Petrol Calculator

Managing travel expenses starts with a reliable cost of petrol calculator. Whether you are planning a cross-country road trip, budgeting for your daily commute, or splitting fuel costs with friends, understanding how much you will spend at the pump is essential. This tool allows you to input your specific vehicle data and trip details to generate an accurate financial estimate.

To use this calculator, you will need three primary pieces of information: the distance of your journey, your vehicle's average fuel efficiency, and the current price of fuel in your area.

Distance (km)
Enter the one-way distance of your trip. The calculator can adjust for round trips or recurring commutes based on your selection in the dropdown menu.
Fuel Efficiency (L/100km)
This is how many litres of fuel your car consumes every 100 kilometres. You can usually find this in your car's manual or on the dashboard trip computer.
Petrol Price
The current price per litre of petrol. Ensure you use the price for the specific grade (e.g., 91, 95, or 98) that your vehicle requires.

How the Fuel Calculation Works

The math behind fuel costing is straightforward but vital for accurate budgeting. The calculator uses a standardized formula to convert distance and efficiency into a volume of fuel, which is then multiplied by the cost per unit. The formula used by our cost of petrol calculator is:

Total Cost = ( (Total Distance / 100) × Fuel Efficiency ) × Price per Litre

  • Distance / 100: This normalizes the distance to match the L/100km efficiency rating.
  • Fuel Efficiency: Determines the total volume (Litres) required for that normalized distance.
  • Price per Litre: The local currency value assigned to each litre of fuel.

Calculation Example

Scenario: You are planning a round trip to a neighboring city. The one-way distance is 250 km. Your SUV has a fuel efficiency of 10 L/100km, and petrol currently costs $1.85 per litre.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Total Distance: 250 km × 2 (Round Trip) = 500 km
  2. Fuel Required: (500 / 100) × 10 = 50 Litres
  3. Final Cost: 50 Litres × $1.85 = $92.50
  4. Result: Your estimated petrol cost for the trip is $92.50.

Common Questions

Does vehicle load affect the petrol cost?

Yes, significantly. Every extra 50kg of weight can increase fuel consumption by about 1-2%. If you are traveling with a full car of passengers and luggage, your actual efficiency (L/100km) will be higher than the manufacturer's laboratory estimate. It is often wise to add a 10% buffer to your efficiency input when calculating for heavy loads.

How can I find my car's real-world fuel efficiency?

The best way is the "Full Tank" method. Fill your tank completely and reset your trip meter. Drive until the tank is low, then fill it up again. Note the litres added and the distance traveled. Divide the litres by (distance / 100) to get your real-world L/100km. Example: 45 Litres used over 500km = 45 / 5 = 9.0 L/100km.

Why is my petrol cost higher than the calculator?

Several factors can lead to higher actual costs, including aggressive driving (rapid acceleration), excessive idling, using air conditioning, and poor tire pressure. Traffic congestion is the most common culprit, as stop-and-go driving prevents the engine from reaching its peak efficiency. Always ensure your cost of petrol calculator inputs reflect realistic driving conditions rather than ideal ones.

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