Fuel Needed For Distance Calculator

Work out fuel needed for distance instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Fuel Needed For Distance Calculator

Fuel needed is distance times consumption divided by 100. Usable range is the tank less the reserve you want in hand, and the number of stops is the distance divided by that range minus one, since you start with a full tank.

Formula

Fuel required

litres = distance x L/100km / 100; range = usable tank / consumption x 100

Worked example

With the default values below, Fuel Needed For Distance Calculator returns Fuel needed of 32.64. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Journey distance: 480 km
Consumption: 6.8 L/100km
Tank capacity: 50 L
Reserve to keep: 8 L

Results

Fuel needed: 32.64 L
Refuelling stops required: 0 stops
Range per usable tank: 617.65 km
Fuel left on arrival if starting full: 17.36 L

Step by step

1Values used
2Fuel required
3Fuel needed= 32.64 L
4Refuelling stops required= 0 stops
5Range per usable tank= 617.65 km
6Fuel left on arrival if starting full= 17.36 L

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why keep a reserve?

Because consumption on the day is rarely the average, fuel stations can be closed, and running a fuel pump dry damages it. Eight to ten litres is prudent.

Does motorway driving change consumption?

Yes, substantially. Above about 90 km/h aerodynamic drag dominates and consumption rises sharply with speed.