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 six states and territories: NSW and Tasmania via FuelCheck, Queensland via FuelPricesQLD, Victoria via Fair Fuel, South Australia via FuelPricingInformation, and Western Australia via FuelWatch. This covers the vast majority of Australian fuel stations. You can always manually enter your exact fuel price.
How much does fuel cost per km in Australia?
At current fuel prices of around $2.10 to $2.35/L for ULP, a typical car using 8 to 10 L/100km costs roughly 17 to 23 cents per kilometre in fuel. A fuel-efficient hybrid at 5 L/100km costs about 11 to 12 cents per km, while a large SUV or ute at 12 to 14 L/100km can reach 25 to 33 cents per km. Use the fuel cost calculator to get your exact cost per km.
How much does the average Australian spend on fuel per week?
The average Australian driver spends between $50 and $80 per week on fuel. A typical commuter driving 300km per week in a car using 9 L/100km at $2.20/L spends around $59 per week. Drivers of larger SUVs or utes can spend $80 to $120 per week. Enter your weekly distance in the FuelCalc calculator to get your exact weekly fuel cost.
What is the cheapest fuel type in Australia?
E10 ethanol blend is typically the cheapest fuel at around 3 to 5 cents per litre less than ULP 91. LPG (autogas) is significantly cheaper per litre but requires a vehicle conversion. For total running cost, hybrid and electric vehicles have the lowest fuel expenses per kilometre.
How much does diesel cost per km in Australia?
At the current diesel average of around $2.72/L, a diesel vehicle using 8 L/100km costs about 22 cents per km. A diesel ute or 4WD at 10 to 12 L/100km costs 27 to 33 cents per km. While diesel is more expensive per litre than petrol, diesel engines are typically more fuel-efficient, which can partially offset the higher 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.
How much does a full tank of petrol cost in Australia?
A full tank of petrol in Australia costs between $93 and $218 depending on tank size and fuel type. At the current ULP average of $2.33/L: a 40L hatchback costs $93, a 55L sedan costs $128, a 65L SUV costs $151, and an 80L ute or 4WD costs $186. Diesel at $2.72/L is more expensive: a 65L tank costs $177 and an 80L tank costs $218. Use the FuelCalc fuel cost calculator for an estimate based on your vehicle.
How much does 60 litres of diesel cost in Australia?
At the current national average of $2.72 per litre, 60 litres of diesel costs approximately $163. Diesel prices vary by state — QLD averages $2.68/L ($161 for 60L), while NT can reach $2.85/L ($171 for 60L). During the 2026 fuel crisis, some regional stations have charged over $3.00/L, meaning 60 litres could cost $180 or more.
How do I calculate fuel cost per km in Australia?
To calculate fuel cost per km: multiply your vehicle's consumption in L/100km by the fuel price per litre, then divide by 100. For example, at 8 L/100km and $2.33/L: (8 x $2.33) / 100 = $0.186 per km, or roughly 18.6 cents per kilometre. The average fuel cost per km in Australia in 2026 ranges from 14c/km for efficient small cars to 35c/km for large diesel SUVs. Use FuelCalc to calculate your exact cost per km.
What is a fuel price estimate for my trip?
A fuel price estimate depends on distance, vehicle consumption and current fuel prices. Use the free FuelCalc fuel price calculator to get an instant estimate for any Australian route. Enter your starting point and destination, select your vehicle from 500+ presets, and FuelCalc calculates the total fuel cost, distance, travel time and litres needed. FuelCalc loads live fuel prices from government APIs in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, WA and TAS.