Road Trip Cost Calculator
Budget the whole trip — gas, hotels, food, and fun — with a fair per-person split
Include the drive home
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Quick summary
Total the four big categories: fuel (distance ÷ MPG × gas price), lodging (nights × rate), food (people × per-day budget × days), and extras (activities + tolls). A 1,200-mile trip for two with three hotel nights runs roughly $1,200–$1,300 — and gas is usually the smallest of the big three, around 10–15% of the total. The per-person figure makes splitting costs with friends painless.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a road trip cost?
A useful planning average for couples is $150–$250 per day: roughly $35–50 in gas (300 miles), $100–180 lodging, and $60–100 food. A week-long 2,000-mile trip for two typically lands between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on lodging choices.
How do I split road trip costs fairly?
Shared costs (gas, lodging if sharing rooms, tolls, parking) divide by headcount — the per-person figure here does that. Food is often fairer paid individually. Apps or a simple shared note tracking who paid what settles the rest at the end.
How can I cut road trip costs?
Lodging is the biggest lever: camping, hostels, or booking midweek can halve it. For gas, steady 65 mph instead of 75+ saves 10–15%, and grocery-store lunches instead of restaurant stops easily save $20–40 per person per day.
Should I factor in car wear and tear?
For a true cost, yes — the IRS rate (70¢/mile in 2025) approximates all-in vehicle cost, which nearly triples the 'gas only' figure. For deciding driving vs flying, use at least gas + a depreciation allowance from our car depreciation calculator.
Key terms
- Per-Person Split
- Total shared cost ÷ travelers — the fair-share number for group trips.
- Cost per Mile
- Trip total ÷ miles — useful for comparing against flight prices.
- The Big Three
- Fuel, lodging, and food — typically 80–90% of any road trip budget.
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.