Trip Mileage & Fuel Cost Calculator
Trip Summary
How to Use a Mileage Calculator for Google Maps Trips
Planning a road trip or documenting business travel requires precise mileage tracking. While Google Maps provides the route and distance, a dedicated mileage calculator helps you translate those miles into real-world costs and reimbursement values.
Calculating Trip Distance with Google Maps
To get the most accurate results from this tool, follow these steps using Google Maps:
- Open Google Maps and enter your starting point and destination.
- Note the total miles for the fastest route.
- If you have multiple stops, use the "Add destination" feature (+) to get the cumulative total.
- Input that total distance into our Trip Distance field above.
Understanding Fuel Efficiency and Costs
Your vehicle's MPG (Miles Per Gallon) significantly impacts your travel budget. For example, a trip of 500 miles in a truck getting 15 MPG will cost significantly more than in a hybrid getting 50 MPG. This calculator helps you see that difference instantly by dividing your total miles by your MPG and multiplying by the current fuel price.
Business Mileage Reimbursement
If you are driving for work, the IRS sets a standard mileage rate every year (e.g., $0.67 per mile in 2024). This rate covers fuel, wear and tear, and insurance. By entering this rate into the calculator, you can determine exactly how much you should be reimbursed for your business trip or how much you can potentially deduct on your taxes.
Example Calculation
Imagine you are driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas:
- Distance: 270 Miles
- Car MPG: 30 MPG
- Gas Price: $4.50/Gallon
- Result: You will use 9 gallons of gas, costing roughly $40.50. At a reimbursement rate of $0.67/mile, your trip value is $180.90.