Enter prices in cents per litre, the way they're shown on the board (e.g. 180.9).
How to work out fuel cost by hand
The formula is straightforward: distance ÷ 100 × litres per 100km × price per litre. A 500km trip in a car using 8L/100km needs 40 litres. At $1.80 a litre that's $72.
The number people underestimate is the second one — what the same trip costs at a cheaper station. Price gaps of 20–30c a litre between servos in the same city are routine, which on a full tank is often more than $15. Over a year, that difference is worth more than most fuel-saving driving tips combined.
Getting your real fuel consumption
Manufacturer figures are optimistic. To get your actual number, fill the tank completely, reset the trip meter, drive normally until you're low, then fill completely again. Divide the litres you put in by the kilometres travelled and multiply by 100.
Real-world consumption is typically 10–20% above the sticker figure, and considerably worse in heavy traffic, with a roof rack, or when towing.
Find the cheaper servo automatically
Bowserly sorts every nearby station cheapest-first using official state price feeds.
Get early accessFrequently asked questions
How do I calculate fuel cost for a trip?
Multiply your trip distance by your car's fuel consumption in litres per 100km, divide by 100, then multiply by the price per litre. For example, 500km at 8L/100km with fuel at $1.80 works out to 500 ÷ 100 × 8 × 1.80 = $72.
What is a typical fuel consumption figure?
Small hatchbacks are usually around 6–7L/100km, mid-size sedans and small SUVs around 7–9L/100km, large SUVs and utes around 10–13L/100km, and towing or heavy loads considerably more. Your car's real-world figure is usually a little higher than the manufacturer's claim.
How much can I actually save by choosing a cheaper servo?
More than most people assume. A 20c/L difference on a 60-litre fill is $12 — and price gaps of 30c/L between stations in the same city are common. Over a year of weekly fills that's several hundred dollars.
Does driving further to cheaper fuel cancel out the saving?
Rarely, for a short detour. Driving an extra 5km each way in a car using 8L/100km burns under a litre of fuel. If the cheaper station saves you 15c/L on a 50-litre fill, that's $7.50 saved against roughly $1.50 of fuel used.