Calculate how far you can drive on a given amount of fuel. Plan road trips, estimate range, and find required fuel for any distance.
How far can you drive on a full tank — or half a tank, or just 5 gallons? This fuel distance calculator answers that question instantly. Enter your tank size (or available fuel), vehicle fuel economy, and the calculator shows your maximum range, cost, and driving time estimate.
Planning a road trip? Enter the trip distance instead, and the tool calculates exactly how much fuel you'll need and how many fuel stops to budget. The fuel stop planner shows optimal refueling points so you never run on empty, especially important on long stretches of highway with sparse gas stations.
Beyond simple range calculation, this tool includes a safety reserve setting (never drain below 1/8 tank), terrain adjustments for mountainous or stop-and-go driving, and side-by-side comparisons for different vehicles. Whether you're checking if you can make it to the next city without stopping or budgeting fuel for a cross-country adventure, the numbers are here.
Do not get stranded guessing if you can make it to the next gas station. This calculator gives precise range estimates with safety margins, trip fuel requirements, and stop planning for road trips and unfamiliar routes.
It is useful because it separates raw maximum range from usable range after reserves, which makes trip planning safer than relying on a single optimistic number. The trip-mode view also turns the same math around so you can budget fuel before you leave.
Range = Fuel available × Fuel economy (miles per gallon). Fuel needed = Trip distance ÷ Fuel economy. Number of stops = ceil(Trip distance ÷ Range per tank) − 1.
Result: 367.5 miles range
With 14 gallons available and 12.5% reserve (1.75 gal), usable fuel is 12.25 gallons. At 30 MPG, range = 12.25 × 30 = 367.5 miles.
Your vehicle's range depends on three factors: tank capacity, fuel economy, and driving conditions. A sedan with a 14-gallon tank averaging 30 MPG has a theoretical range of 420 miles — but real-world range after accounting for driving style and a safety reserve is closer to 350 miles.
Modern fuel pumps are cooled and lubricated by gasoline. Running very low exposes the pump to air and debris from the bottom of the tank, accelerating wear. Repeated low-fuel driving can reduce pump lifespan by 50%. Keep at least 2 gallons as a minimum buffer.
For a 1,000-mile road trip at 28 MPG with a 16-gallon tank, max range per fill is 448 miles. Planning stops every 336 miles (75%) means 2 fuel stops with comfortable margin. Budget 35.7 gallons total. At $3.50/gal, fuel cost is about $125.
It's based on your fuel economy figure. Use a real-world average (not EPA rating) for the most accurate estimate. Terrain, wind, and AC usage cause variation.
Most experts recommend never going below 1/8 tank (12.5%). Running very low can damage the fuel pump and leaves no margin for detours.
Yes — highway driving typically gives 15–30% better range for gasoline cars. Our terrain factor adjusts for this.
Check your owner's manual or the inside of the fuel door. Common sizes: compact 10–12 gal, sedan 13–16 gal, SUV 18–24 gal, truck 24–36 gal.
Temperature, tire pressure, wind, elevation changes, cargo weight, and driving style all affect fuel economy from tank to tank. Use this as a practical reminder before finalizing the result.
Enter your total trip distance and tank range. The calculator shows how many stops you'll need and suggests refueling every 75% of maximum range for safety.