RV Trip Fuel Cost Calculator
Updated .
This calculator turns a trip distance, your own miles per gallon and the fuel price per gallon into the gallons burned and the fuel cost. Add a number of nights and a per-night site fee for a trip total, then enter a reserve percentage you choose to see the cost with a cushion. Every figure is yours; the page supplies only the arithmetic.
How it works
The calculator uses five lines of arithmetic, all shown in the result so you can repeat them on paper:
- Gallons = trip distance ÷ miles per gallon.
- Fuel cost = gallons × price per gallon. Dividing the fuel cost by the distance gives the fuel cost per mile.
- Site and night fees = nights × fee per night.
- Trip total = fuel cost + site and night fees.
- With your reserve = fuel cost × (1 + reserve ÷ 100), then add the fees. The reserve is applied to fuel only.
Where your miles per gallon comes from. Fill the tank, note the odometer, drive, then fill again and divide the miles by the gallons added. Repeat on a few fills and average them. Figures from a trip with similar load, speed and terrain are far better than a brochure figure, and a rig towing into a headwind or climbing grades can look very different from the same rig on flat ground. The fueleconomy.gov site explains the factors that move fuel economy for ordinary vehicles; it cannot know your loaded rig.
About the reserve. The reserve is a percentage you pick, not a forecast. A way to choose it: compare what your last few trips actually cost with what the plain calculation said, and use the typical gap. If you have no history, run the tool at a few values such as 0, 10 and 20 and see how much the budget moves.
About the price. Use the price you expect to pay, ideally from stations on your route. The U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes regional averages in its gasoline and diesel fuel update, which is useful for the trend but is not the price at a particular pump. For the wider trip budget, see the fuel cost and trip budget guide.
Worked example
Suppose a trip of 1,200 miles, a hypothetical 9 miles per gallon from the driver’s own fill-ups, a fuel price of $4.00 per gallon, 3 nights at $45 a night, and a 15% reserve on the fuel.
Gallons: 1,200 ÷ 9 = 133.33 gallons. Fuel cost: 133.33 × 4.00 = $533.33, which is $0.444 per mile. Fees: 3 × 45 = $135.00. Trip total: 533.33 + 135.00 = $668.33.
With the reserve: 533.33 × 1.15 = $613.33 of fuel (153.33 gallons), and a total of 613.33 + 135.00 = $748.33. If the same rig only managed 8 miles per gallon, the trip would need 150 gallons and $600.00 of fuel before any reserve, which is why it pays to use a figure from your own fill-ups. These numbers are illustrative arithmetic, not data about any rig, fuel price or campground.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get my miles per gallon?
From your own fill-ups: divide the miles driven between two fills by the gallons it took to refill, and average a few fills. Use figures from conditions like the planned trip, because towing, speed, wind and hills change the result.
What reserve percentage should I use?
That is your decision. A practical way to choose is to compare what your last trips actually cost with the plain calculation and use the typical gap. With no history, try a few values and see how much the total moves.
Does the reserve cover site fees?
No. The reserve is applied to the fuel cost only. Site fees are added at the amount you enter.
Does this include tolls, generator fuel, propane or repairs?
No. It covers fuel for the distance and the site fees you type in. If you run a generator or other equipment on the same fuel, you can allow for it in your reserve.
Does this send my numbers anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent.
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