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financial calculator

Fuel Cost Calculator

Calculate fuel cost per trip and per mile from miles, MPG, and current diesel price.

  • Updated July 10, 2026 · reviewed by the Bonafide Dispatch operations team
  • Free · no signup · nationwide (all 50 U.S. states)
  • 2026 U.S. freight benchmarks built in
Quick answer

At $3.85/gal and 6.5 MPG, fuel costs $0.59/mile — $887 for a 1,500-mile trip.

Updated Reviewed by the Bonafide Dispatch operations teamFree · No signup · Works nationwide (all 50 U.S. states)
Quick facts
Category
Financial
Formula
Fuel Cost = (Miles ÷ MPG) × Price/gal. CPM = Price ÷ MPG.
Inputs
3
Best for
Owner-operators & fleets
Inputs
Results
Trip fuel cost
$888
Gallons used
230.8 gal
Fuel cost per mile
$0.59
2026 U.S. reference benchmarks
Reviewed quarterly · DOE EIA · ATA · ATRI · FMCSA · DAT/Truckstop
U.S. on-highway diesel (national avg)
$3.78 / gal

Source: DOE EIA weekly retail, Q2 2026

Class 8 dry van MPG (loaded)
6.5 – 7.2 MPG

Source: ATRI operational costs, 2025→2026

Fleet fuel card discount vs retail
$0.30 – $0.60 / gal

Source: TA/Petro + Love's carrier programs, 2026

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What this calculator does

Calculate fuel cost per trip and per mile from miles, MPG, and current diesel price.

Definition
Fuel Cost — Fuel cost per mile is diesel price divided by MPG. Total trip fuel cost is miles ÷ MPG × price.

Why it matters

Owner-operators and fleet managers across the United States — from Texas and California freight lanes to the Midwest and Southeast — rely on the fuel cost numbers to price loads, negotiate with brokers, and protect margin. Getting this figure right is the difference between a profitable week and a break-even one, and it's the same math our dispatchers run on every load we book.

Methodology

This calculator uses the industry-standard formula shown below. Inputs and defaults are based on Bonafide's day-to-day dispatch operations across U.S. carriers, cross-checked against FMCSA guidance and DAT/Truckstop market data. Results render as plain text (not canvas or images) so they're readable by screen readers, search engines, and AI assistants.

How to use it

  1. Step 1
    Use actual MPG

    Don't trust the brochure — use your ELD/IFTA average.

  2. Step 2
    Use a real diesel price

    Check EIA weekly retail diesel for your region.

The formula

Fuel Cost = (Miles ÷ MPG) × Price/gal. CPM = Price ÷ MPG.

Worked examples

  • Example 1
    Texas to Chicago
    miles
    1100
    mpg
    6.8
    price
    3.79
    Result: $613 fuel

FAQ

What's average truck MPG?

Modern Class 8 dry van averages 6.5–7.2 MPG loaded. Reefer drops 0.3–0.5 MPG with the unit running.

How much can fuel cards save?

Fleet fuel cards average $0.30–$0.60/gal off retail at TA/Petro and Love's.

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