Driving
Fuel cost
The price multiplies the gallons, so both efficiency and fuel price drive the total.
The Formula
fuel cost = gallons x price per gallon
The price multiplies the gallons, so both efficiency and fuel price drive the total.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | Fuel cost | currency | Money spent on fuel. |
| g | Gallons used | gallons | Fuel consumed. |
| p | Price | currency per gallon | Cost per gallon. |
What Each Symbol Means
Fcurrency
Fuel cost
Money spent on fuel.
ggallons
Gallons used
Fuel consumed.
pcurrency per gallon
Price
Cost per gallon.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate a cost per mile page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate A Cost Per Mile, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.