Journey Cost Calculator UK

Journey cost estimates are accurate when you input real data: (1) Use your car's actual fuel economy measured over several fill-ups, not manufacturer figures, (2) Use current fuel prices from your local area, (3) Consider journey type - city driving uses more fuel than motorway, (4) Account for traffic conditions - congestion increases consumption. For maximum accuracy, measure your actual MPG before a long journey.

Yes, always include both outbound and return journey costs in your budget: (1) For a 100-mile trip, use 200 miles (100 each way), (2) Return journeys often use more fuel due to different routes or traffic patterns, (3) Plan for slightly higher costs on return journeys after a tiring drive, (4) Consider fuel price changes between outbound and return dates for longer trips.

Find your car's real fuel economy in several ways: (1) Check your car's manual or service book, (2) Search online using your car model and year, (3) Check your car's onboard computer/dashboard display (many modern cars show MPG), (4) Calculate it manually: divide miles driven by litres used. Note that manufacturer figures are often 10-20% optimistic, so use real-world measurements for accurate journey cost planning.

Always check current fuel prices: (1) Use petrol price checker websites and apps, (2) Check prices at your usual fuel station, (3) Compare supermarket prices - often 2-5p cheaper per litre, (4) Plan long journeys when prices are lower, (5) Use the average of prices along your route if travelling far. For future planning, add 5% to current prices to account for potential increases.

Yes, include all journey distance: (1) Add the total distance for your complete route including detours and stops, (2) Use route planning apps to calculate total journey distance, (3) Add 5-10% for getting lost or wrong turns, (4) Multiple short stops increase overall fuel consumption slightly. Use the total journey miles (not just main destination distance) for the most accurate cost estimate.

Weather and seasons impact fuel consumption: (1) Cold weather - engines consume more fuel until warmed up, especially for short journeys, (2) Air conditioning - using AC reduces fuel economy by 5-10%, (3) Winter tyres - heavier than summer tyres, increase consumption slightly, (4) Headwinds - driving into strong winds reduces efficiency, (5) Heavy traffic in summer holidays. Budget 10% extra for winter journeys and add 5% for summer AC usage.

Yes! Compare different routes easily: (1) Motorway driving - typically 20-30% more efficient than city driving, (2) City driving - more fuel consumption due to stop-start traffic, (3) Mixed routes - calculate costs for different routing options, (4) Calculate A-road vs motorway comparisons. Use your actual MPG figures for each journey type to make accurate comparisons and choose the most cost-effective route.