BCBetter Calculators

Road Trip Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of a road trip including fuel, food, lodging, and activities.

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Enter your values and click Calculate

How It Works

Fuel cost is calculated as (distance ÷ MPG) × fuel price per gallon. Lodging is hotel cost per night × (days − 1), since a trip lasting N days requires N−1 overnight stays — you leave on day one and return on the final day without needing that last night's lodging. Food total is the per-person daily food budget × number of travelers × total days. Activities total is the daily activities cost × total days. All four categories are summed to produce the total trip cost, which is then divided by the number of travelers to give the per-person share. Adjusting any input immediately updates all cost breakdowns, making it easy to compare scenarios — for instance, swapping a hotel for a campsite or trimming daily food spending to see how much the total drops.

Examples

800 miles, 28 MPG, USD 3.50/gallon, 3 days, USD 120/night hotel, USD 50/day food, USD 30/day activities, 2 travelers
A 3-day two-person road trip.
Result: Total ~USD 760 — ~USD 380 per person.
Solo weekend trip — 400 miles
Short solo trip, budget lodging, minimal activities.
Result: Total ~USD 220 for the full trip.
Family road trip — 1,200 miles, 4 travelers
Longer family vacation with full expenses.
Result: Total ~USD 1,843 — ~USD 461 per person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is lodging calculated as days minus 1?
You sleep one fewer night than the number of travel days in your trip. A 3-day trip means you leave on day 1, sleep the first two nights, and return on day 3 — requiring exactly 2 hotel stays, not 3.
Should I add a buffer to my estimate?
Yes — it is a good practice to add 10–15% on top of the calculated total to cover parking fees, tolls, unexpected stops, souvenir spending, and price variation at the pump. Real trips almost always cost slightly more than the minimum estimate.
Does this calculator account for vehicle wear and tear?
No — the calculator covers direct out-of-pocket expenses only. For longer trips, you may want to factor in additional costs for oil changes, tire wear, or potential roadside assistance, especially if your vehicle is older or has high mileage.

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