What is the average fuel price in Australia in 2026?

As of March 2026, average Australian fuel prices are approximately $2.33/L for ULP (unleaded 91), $2.28/L for E10, $2.46/L for Premium 95, $2.54/L for Premium 98, and $2.72/L for Diesel. Prices vary by state and are affected by global oil supply disruptions. FuelCalc lets you enter the exact price you're paying for the most accurate estimate.

How do I calculate litres per 100km fuel consumption?

To calculate L/100km: fill your tank, reset your trip meter, drive normally, then fill up again. Divide the litres used by the kilometres driven, then multiply by 100. For example, if you used 45 litres over 600km: (45 / 600) x 100 = 7.5 L/100km. FuelCalc includes fuel consumption presets for hundreds of popular Australian vehicles.

How much does it cost to drive from Melbourne to Adelaide?

Melbourne to Adelaide is about 730km via the Western Highway and takes roughly 8 hours. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is approximately $136. A return trip costs about $272. Use FuelCalc for an estimate tailored to your specific vehicle and current fuel prices.

How much does it cost to drive from Perth to Sydney?

Perth to Sydney is one of Australia's longest drives at approximately 3,930km. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $733. The drive takes about 40 to 42 hours of driving time across several days. Use FuelCalc to calculate the exact cost for your vehicle.

How much does it cost to drive from Melbourne to Geelong?

Melbourne to Geelong is approximately 75km via the Princes Freeway (M1) and takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.35/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $14. A return trip costs about $28. This is one of Australia's most common daily commutes.

Is FuelCalc free to use?

Yes, FuelCalc is completely free to use. There are no sign-ups, no ads, and no hidden fees. It works on any device with a web browser — phone, tablet, or desktop — and can be installed as an app for offline use.

FuelCalc — Australian Fuel Cost Calculator

Free Fuel Cost Calculator for Australian Road Trips

FuelCalc is a free fuel cost calculator built for Australian drivers. Calculate your trip cost, driving distance, travel time, and fuel consumption for any route in Australia. Enter your origin and destination, select your vehicle, set the fuel price, and get an instant estimate in Australian dollars.

FuelCalc supports all fuel types including Unleaded 91 (ULP), Ethanol E10, Premium 95, Premium 98, Diesel, and Electric Vehicles. It features live fuel prices for NSW and Tasmania via the government FuelCheck API, an interactive driving map with route display, vehicle presets with official L/100km data from the Green Vehicle Guide, round trip calculations, and cost splitting for passengers. New to FuelCalc? See our step-by-step guide or browse the FAQ.

How to Calculate Your Fuel Cost

Enter your starting point and destination — FuelCalc calculates the driving distance and travel time using real road data.
Select your vehicle — choose from hundreds of Australian vehicle presets or enter custom L/100km consumption.
Set the current fuel price per litre — FuelCalc loads state average prices, or enter what you pay at the pump.
Get your instant cost estimate — see total fuel cost in AUD, distance in km, travel time, and litres needed.

The Fuel Cost Formula

The formula for calculating fuel cost is: (Distance in km / 100) x Fuel Consumption in L/100km x Price per Litre = Total Fuel Cost. For example, a 500km trip in a vehicle that uses 8 L/100km at $2.33 per litre costs (500 / 100) x 8 x $2.33 = $93.20 in fuel.

Popular Australian Route Costs (March 2026)

Based on average fuel consumption of 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L:

Sydney to Melbourne — 880km, approximately $164 one way
Brisbane to Sydney — 920km, approximately $171 one way
Melbourne to Adelaide — 730km, approximately $136 one way
Sydney to Brisbane — 920km, approximately $171 one way
Perth to Sydney — 3,930km, approximately $733 one way
Sydney to Gold Coast — 840km, approximately $157 one way
Sydney to Canberra — 280km, approximately $52 one way
Brisbane to Cairns — 1,700km, approximately $317 one way
Sydney to Byron Bay — 770km, approximately $144 one way
Melbourne to Geelong — 75km, approximately $14 one way
Perth to Broome — 2,240km, approximately $416 one way
Adelaide to Sydney — 1,380km, approximately $252 one way
Melbourne to Brisbane — 1,670km, approximately $311 one way
Melbourne to Sydney — 880km, approximately $164 one way
Adelaide to Melbourne — 730km, approximately $136 one way
Cairns to Brisbane — 1,700km, approximately $317 one way

Current Australian Fuel Prices (March 2026)

Australian fuel prices as of March 2026 (national averages from the ACCC). Track daily wholesale Terminal Gate Prices from the Australian Institute of Petroleum:

Unleaded 91 (ULP): $2.33 per litre
Ethanol E10: $2.28 per litre
Premium 95: $2.46 per litre
Premium 98: $2.54 per litre
Diesel: $2.72 per litre

Prices vary by state. QLD averages $2.30/L for ULP, NSW $2.30/L, VIC $2.35/L, SA $2.28/L, WA $2.32/L, TAS $2.30/L, NT $2.55/L, and ACT $2.31/L. Prices are highly volatile due to global oil market disruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate fuel cost for a road trip in Australia?

To calculate fuel cost, you need the distance in kilometres, your vehicle's consumption in L/100km, and the fuel price per litre. The formula is: (distance / 100) x consumption x price = total cost. FuelCalc does this automatically when you enter your route and vehicle details.

What are current Australian fuel prices in 2026?

As of March 2026, average Australian fuel prices are approximately $2.33/L for ULP, $2.28/L for E10, $2.46/L for Premium 95, $2.54/L for Premium 98, and $2.72/L for Diesel. Prices vary significantly by state and fluctuate with global oil markets.

How do I calculate litres per 100km?

Fill your tank completely, reset your trip meter, drive normally, and fill up again. Note the litres used and the kilometres driven. The formula is: (litres used / kilometres driven) x 100 = L/100km. For example, 45 litres over 600km = 7.5 L/100km.

How much does it cost to drive from Sydney to Melbourne?

Sydney to Melbourne is approximately 880km. At 8 L/100km and $2.33/L for ULP, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $164. Use FuelCalc for an accurate estimate based on your specific vehicle and current fuel price.

How much does it cost to drive from Brisbane to Sydney?

Brisbane to Sydney is approximately 920km via the Pacific Highway. At 8 L/100km and $2.33/L for ULP, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $171. The drive takes about 10 to 11 hours.

How much does it cost to drive from Sydney to Gold Coast?

Sydney to the Gold Coast is approximately 840km via the Pacific Highway (M1) and takes around 9 hours. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $157.

How much does it cost to drive from Sydney to Canberra?

Sydney to Canberra is approximately 280km and takes about 3 hours. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $52. A return trip costs about $104.

How much does it cost to drive from Brisbane to Cairns?

Brisbane to Cairns is approximately 1,700km via the Bruce Highway and takes around 19 to 20 hours over two or three days. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $317.

How much does it cost to drive from Sydney to Byron Bay?

Sydney to Byron Bay is approximately 770km via the Pacific Highway and takes around 8 to 9 hours. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $144.

How much does it cost to drive from Perth to Broome?

Perth to Broome is approximately 2,240km and takes around 24 hours of driving over two to three days. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.32/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $416. Fuel prices in remote WA can be significantly higher.

How much does it cost to drive from Melbourne to Brisbane?

Melbourne to Brisbane is approximately 1,670km via the Newell Highway and takes around 18 to 19 hours. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.33/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $311.

How much does it cost to drive from Adelaide to Sydney?

Adelaide to Sydney is approximately 1,380km via the Hume Highway and takes around 14 hours. At 8 L/100km and ULP at $2.28/L, the one-way fuel cost is roughly $252.

How much fuel do I need for a 500km trip?

At 8 L/100km (average mid-size car), you need 40 litres. At 6 L/100km (small car), 30 litres. At 12 L/100km (large SUV or ute), 60 litres. The formula is: (distance / 100) x L/100km = litres needed.

What is the average fuel consumption for cars in Australia?

Small cars average 6 to 7 L/100km, medium sedans 7 to 9, large sedans 9 to 11, SUVs 8 to 12, utes 9 to 13, and commercial vans 10 to 14. Real-world consumption is typically 10 to 20 percent higher than official figures.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly in Australia?

For solo travellers, flying is often cheaper over 800km. But driving is more cost-effective with multiple passengers. Sydney to Melbourne costs roughly $164 in fuel for one car versus $200 to $400 per person to fly. With four passengers, driving is about $41 per person.

Is E10 petrol cheaper than ULP 91 in Australia?

E10 is typically 3 to 5 cents per litre cheaper than ULP 91. As of March 2026, the national average is $2.28/L for E10 versus $2.33/L for ULP. E10 has about 3 percent less energy, but still works out slightly cheaper overall for most drivers.

What fuel types does FuelCalc support?

FuelCalc supports Unleaded 91 (ULP), Ethanol E10, Premium 95, Premium 98, Diesel, and Electric Vehicles with kWh pricing. Select your fuel type and enter the price per litre for an accurate cost estimate.

Does FuelCalc have live fuel prices?

Yes, FuelCalc has live fuel prices for NSW and Tasmania via the NSW Government FuelCheck API, covering over 2,500 fuel stations. For other states, regularly updated average prices are used. You can always manually enter your exact fuel price.

Is FuelCalc free?

Yes, FuelCalc is completely free with no sign-ups, no ads, and no hidden fees. It works on any device and can be installed as a progressive web app for offline use.

About FuelCalc

FuelCalc is an Australian-built fuel cost calculator at fuelcalc.com.au. It uses road data from OpenStreetMap, routing from OpenRouteService, and live fuel prices from the NSW Government FuelCheck API. Vehicle consumption data is sourced from the Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide. FuelCalc is free, requires no account, and respects your privacy — no tracking cookies, no ads, no personal data collection.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Route data by OpenRouteService. Vehicle data from the Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide.

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