trip estimated fuel cost

Trip Calculator

Trip vehicles, step 1 of 2. select one or more vehicles..

You can add, edit, and remove vehicles at any time.

You can edit vehicles to personalize the MPG and fuel prices.

In Step 2, you will enter the trip details including starting point, intermediate stops, and destination.

Enter the Trip

You will be able to modify the route by dragging the route line on the map.

The Trip Vehicles section above will be updated with the cost of fuel for the trip.

Directions and Map

This website is administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This website is administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. DOE and the U.S. EPA.

Fuel Cost Calculator

This calculator can estimate fuel cost according to the distance of a trip, the fuel efficiency of the car, and the price of gas using various units.

Related Gas Mileage Calculator | Mileage Calculator

The price of gas may go up or down, but it's always a major expense for most drivers. The average American driver spends about $3,000 per year on gas, according to the American Automobile Association. Some of the practical ways to reduce fuel costs are listed below.

Use public transportation

Walking or biking does not consume fuel, and as such does not accumulate fuel cost. In most cases, public transport alternatives to cars such as buses, trains, and trolleys are viable options of reducing fuel costs. Due to the communal nature of ride sharing, the fuel costs of operating public transport are generally less than the fuel costs associated with each individual operating their own vehicle. In some places, public transport is free. Considering the costs associated with owning or renting a car creates even more incentive to use other modes of transportation.

Also known as car sharing, carpooling is the arrangement between two or more people to travel to a shared destination in a single vehicle. Although a heavier car consumes slightly more fuel, it is usually much more efficient than two people driving separate cars towards the same destination.

Use a more fuel efficient vehicle

Driving a smaller car makes a great difference – the fuel cost is about half for a small sedan than for a very large SUV. Similarly, drive with a less powerful engine than you need. Don't pay for an eight-cylinder engine when four cylinders work just fine. Unless you're hauling heavy loads on a routine basis, the extra cost of a bigger engine results in more money spent on gasoline.

Tune the engine

A properly tuned engine maximizes power and can greatly enhance fuel efficiency. But tuning the car engine is often done to increase horsepower – that's not the way to save on fuel. Make sure the tuner gets the message.

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent – this amount will vary depending on the nature of the repair.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Placing ornaments and ground effects, aerodynamics kits, and airfoils, such as deck-lid spoilers, may make you feel good, but they also increase the car's drag and make it require more fuel. Such accessories offer no real handling enhancements, although they may look nice on your car. Also, place signs or cargo on the roof so that the object angles forward. This will reduce the frontal area of the object, and it will cause less drag, and cause you to use less fuel.

Adjust tires

Make sure the tires are inflated to the right levels. Properly inflated tires can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3 percent. Your tires also lose about 1 PSI per month, and when the tires are cold (e.g., in the winter), their pressure will decrease due to the thermal contraction of the air. It is recommended to check tires at least monthly, preferably weekly. Having properly inflated tires will also help you avoid uneven wear on the tread.

Gas stations don't always have accurate equipment for this purpose. Sometimes gas stations use automatic air compressors that stop at a pre-determined level. To make sure you inflate to the right level, double-check pressure with your own gauge.

Recommended inflation pressures are for cold tires; put about 3 PSI more in if the tires have been driven on a while. Inflate to the pressure recommended by the car manufacturer, not to the level stamped on the tire.

Use the correct motor oil

Gas mileage will improve by 1 percent to 2 percent if you use the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can reduce your gas mileage by a considerable amount. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Plan trips carefully

There is no more obvious way to save gas than to drive a shorter distance.

Plan your route carefully. With today's GPS route planners, it's easy to calculate a straight route with the fewest stops and diversions. It is also possible to judge which route will have the least traffic. Take highways instead of local routes or city streets when possible – the steady speed maximizes fuel efficiency.

When driving in a city, try to park in a central location, and then walk from one appointment to another, or take public transportation. Ragged stop-and-go city driving is terrible for your gas mileage. This also saves the high level of gas used in parking and pulling out in a parking lot.

Factors that determine the fuel price

Government intervention.

Governments may intervene in gasoline (referred to as petrol in some parts of the world) markets by taxation, which may raise prices for consumers within or outside the governmental territory. Similarly, certain industries may receive financial support from the government to promote commercial enterprise (a subsidy). Generally, subsidized products or services can be sold at lower prices.

Financial markets

The global oil price fluctuates constantly. The key crudes quoted are Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) in the unit of US$ per barrel. The retail fuel price is closely related to the global oil price fluctuation.

Political elements such as structure, regime, personnel, and events can all affect the cost of fuel. For instance, a change in leadership from a leader who doesn't believe in climate change to one who does may result in changes to the cost of fuel for consumers based on different policies, such as choosing not to subsidize fuel. Political relationships between countries are also a factor; nations can go to war over resources, or form alliances in order to trade, both of which can affect the cost of fuel.

Geographic area

Certain geographical areas or countries in the world have an abundance of oil, while others do not have a single drop. Regional consumers within close proximity of high supplies of oil are more likely to have lower costs of fuel due to ease of access. Areas without their own supply of oil that are isolated from the rest of the world (such as islands in the Pacific) can find fuel to be relatively expensive.

Natural disaster or weather

Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, major floods, and other such nature-related phenomena can affect the production, manufacturing, and logistics of gasoline, which can possibly affect the price of fuel. For instance, a snowstorm may close certain roads, disallowing the transportation of the resource and driving up fuel costs in these areas. Hurricanes or earthquakes can damage oil refineries, abruptly halting production, which can also eventually increase fuel costs.

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Today’s AAA National Average $3.608

Price as of 4/9/24

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Fuel Calculator ⛽

Use this fuel cost calculator to easily calculate fuel cost and the gallons / liters needed to complete a trip. Calculate gas cost or petrol cost - we support miles and gallons, liters and km, etc.

Related calculators

• Fuel Needed & Fuel Cost Calculations

Variation in fuel consumption

• Formula for fuel amount
• How to improve fuel economy?

    Fuel Needed & Fuel Cost Calculations

In order to calculate the amount of fuel for a given trip using our fuel cost calculator or otherwise, you need to know the total distance you will be covering and the expected average fuel consumption of your vehicle. It works the same way for cars, trucks, buses, vans, SUVs, and even boats and planes. If you also want to calculate the fuel cost of a trip, then you need to know the price per gallon or price per liter at which you can by.

Our calculator supports entering distances in miles and kilometers. In terms of fuel consumption, it is very versatile as it accepts: miles per gallon, gallons per 100 miles, kilometers per liter and liters per 100 kilometers. In the US, miles per gallon and kilometers per liter would more frequently used, while in most of Europe the preferred metric would be liters to travel 100 km and gallons to cover 100 miles. The result in terms of fuel amount is in gallons or liters, and for fuel cost is in the currency you entered it in (you can simply ignore the currency sign, e.g. $ (USD)).

Make sure to account for the variation in fuel consumption when driving within city limits and on highways - usually the consumption is higher in the former case. Always fill your tank with more fuel than you anticipate you would need, especially during winter or when driving through desolate areas or when extreme weather conditions are expected.

    Formula for fuel amount

If you are using mpg (miles per gallon), then the formula for calculating the total amount of gas needed is:

Fuel = Distance / Consumption mpg

For example, if the distance is 500 miles and consumption is 20 miles per gallon, then the fuel you will need for the entire distance is 500 / 20 = 25 gallons.

If you are using gallons per 100 mi to measure consumption, then the formula for calculating the amount of fuel needed is:

Fuel = Distance / 100 x Consumption per 100 mi

For example, if the distance is 300 miles and the consumption is 5 gallons per 100 miles, you will need 300 / 100 x 5 = 15 gallons of gas.

Both formulas are applicable for metric units - km and liters, just make sure you do not mix metric units. Using an online fuel calculator will make sure you do not commit that mistake.

    How to improve fuel economy?

Don't like the numbers you see when you use our tool? If you wonder how you can improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle so you can cover more miles (or kilometers) with less fuel, we have some tips that can result in significant savings, especially when applied consistently over time. Here is our list of 10 fuel efficiency tips :

• Drive sensibly - If you drive aggressively - too fast compared to other cars, constantly overtaking other vehicles, and rapid acceleration followed by braking, only to accelerate again wastes a lot of gas. By some estimates, quick starts and hard stops can increase fuel consumption by more than 30% ! This is why this is number one in our fuel efficiency list.
• Observe the speed limit - Different vehicles have optimal fuel economy at different velocities, but one way to increase gas mileage is to avoid driving at higher speeds. A small reduction of your average speed , say from 70 mph to 60 mph (equivalently: from 115 km/h to 100 km/h) can help you save 10 to 20% due to lower fuel consumption.
• Follow the leader - drive at about the speed of the vehicle in front of you, if they are following the first 2 tips above. This will make sure you need to accelerate and decelerate as little as possible. If possible, overtake drivers who do not follow them, as it will make it very hard for you to do so. This will result in smaller numbers from our fuel cost calculator.
• Check your tires - make sure your tire pressure is at optimal levels as indicated in the owner's manual provided by the auto manufacturer. If the pressure is too low your mileage will decrease significantly, not to mention that the car may become dangerous to drive.
• Smart routing - make sure you take optimal paths to reach your desired destination. Learn the different modes of route selection your GPS employs - the shortest is not always the fastest and idling stuck in traffic will waste fuel. Use services such as Google Maps to check for traffic congestions on the planned route. Using a route you know well can also help improve fuel efficiency, since you will know in advance where it makes sense to increase speed and where it does not, because of a traffic light just ahead.
• Air conditioning - turning it off will most likely improve your fuel efficiency by 10-15%, and will result in you having more power to accelerate quicker when needed. If it is necessary, make sure you do not set it to unreasonably low or high levels. Air temperature in the range between 64°F - 75°F (18°C - 24°C) is comfortable for most people. Due to the law of thermodynamics, each subsequent degree of heating or cooling requires progressively more energy to accomplish and maintain.
• Remove excess weight - make sure you remove any unneeded heavy items you have in your trunk. One of the untold benefits of losing weight is that your car will be a bit more efficient as well.
• Turn cruise control ON - when on a highway, make sure to use your cruise control option. By keeping your speed constant, it will most likely save gas and result in lower fuel costs.
• Avoid idling - idling means 0 miles per gallon and the larger the car engine, the more gas is wasted when idling. Avoid excessive idling, when possible, in line with point #5 above to keep fuel costs low.
• Maintain your vehicle - a well-maintained car, truck, van, SUV, etc. will operate at greater efficiency. Exact fuel savings are hard to calculate, as it will depend on the type of maintenance work your vehicle needs. However, good maintenance is sure to lead to fuel savings and smaller cost numbers coming out of our calculator.

All the above advice is fine, but what do you do if you have been following the above advice, yet our tool still shows you numbers that are so high you want to cry? Well, it is most likely time for a new car, or it could be just the fuel price fluctuations over which, unfortunately, neither you nor we have much influence, individually. Fuel prices in most places contain license fees and other state or local government taxes, in some places reaching as much as 50% of the final price. Financial market fluctuations, natural disasters or extreme weather, crisis, as well the geographical area you are in and the local fuel suppliers all influence the price of gas. All you can do is try to observe them and predict when you can get a more decent price.

Cite this calculator & page

If you'd like to cite this online calculator resource and information as provided on the page, you can use the following citation: Georgiev G.Z., "Fuel Cost Calculator" , [online] Available at: https://www.gigacalculator.com/calculators/fuel-calculator.php URL [Accessed Date: 10 Apr, 2024].

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Fuel Cost Calculator

Table of contents

So you planned that trip, and now you are looking for a fuel cost calculator to ensure you will not need to sing for your dinner later. Well, you have come to the right place. Our fuel cost calculator helps you figure out the amount of fuel you will need for your trip. Additionally, it calculates the amount of money you will spend to buy gas to avoid any unexpected shortfall.

Keep reading if you would like to learn:

• The reason why you need to budget carefully for your trip.
• The formula we used to calculate how much gas you will need.
• How we calculated the total cost of gas for your road trip.
• Whether it is cheaper to drive or fly for your long-distance trip.
• How to take a road trip without breaking the bank.
• The process used to calculate the fuel cost per month.
• How much does a gallon of fuel weigh?

If your ideal vacation trip includes little green men on Mars, this space travel calculator may be just what you need.

Why you should know how much fuel you will need and the cost before buying gas for your trip

With the price of gas going up daily and your buying power steadily declining due to inflation, the unfortunate truth is that it is unwise to plan a road trip without first calculating the cost of gas. After all, gas is not the only thing you will need.

Before you plan your trip, you need to recognize that there can be lots of unexpected expenses when you are away from home. As such careful planning and a detailed budget are most important for a worry-free trip. You can typically expect to spend money on:

• Entertainment;
• Emergency repairs;
• Emergency medical care.

🙋 While we took care of the fuel price in this calculator, you may also check out our speed calculator to help you plan your activities. If you plan to lease a car for your trip, our car lease calculator may also interest you.

Process used by our fuel cost calculator to find how much gas you will need as well as the cost of your trip

To calculate how much fuel you will need, here is the formula used by our fuel cost calculator:

Fuel amount= Distance / Fuel efficiency

For instance, if you wish to travel 100 km with a vehicle with a fuel efficiency of 5 kilometers per liter , substitute these variables into the formula above:

Fuel amount= 100 / 5 = 20 liters

Our calculator also uses the amount of fuel and the cost of gas in your area to calculate the total cost of your trip. For this, we use the following formula:

Trip cost = Fuel amount × Fuel price

So using the amount of fuel given in the above problem, if the price of gas was $7 , then to calculate the amount of money needed for the trip, we put these values into the formula, and we get:

Trip cost = 20 × 7 = $140

What is the best way to take a road trip on a small budget?

If you are planning a road trip for your vacation, but your budget is relatively small, here are a few things you can do:

• Go during the offseason. Vacation rentals cost less in the offseason. This price reduction is because the demand for these places is relatively low during the off-season. So owners and agents reduce the price to attract more visitors.
• Take a road trip with others willing to share the cost. Sharing the cost will reduce your individual payment. For instance, if the fuel price for the trip is $1000, you will pay less by splitting that cost five ways between friends. You can do this using our gas cost calculator .
• Try camping to reduce the cost of accommodation. Campsites cost less than the average hotel.
• Research fun, entertaining activities that you and your friends can do free of cost or for a small fee. For example, use a map to explore with your team rather than hiring a tour guide.
• Pack food that you can quickly fix on the go rather than eating in restaurants. The cost of food can eat into your vacation money. As such, finding ways to eat for less can make the difference in the amount and type of activities you will be able to engage in.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly for long distances?

Due to the additional costs for items such as food and accommodation for several days, a road trip across great distances can cost significantly higher for long-distance trips than flying. This can, of course, be affected by these factors:

• Number of persons on the trip;
• Whether the cost is shared or not; and
• Type of accommodation used.

How do I calculate fuel cost?

To calculate the fuel cost, we use one of the following formulas:

• Fuel cost = (Distance / Efficiency per gallon) × Cost per gallon
• Fuel cost = (Distance / [100 × Consumption per 100 mi]) × Cost per gallon

Use the first formula if you have the car's efficiency in miles per gallon (mpg).

On the other hand, we use the second formula if the consumption is in gallons per 100 miles.

How do I calculate fuel cost per month?

To find the fuel cost per month:

• Multiply the distance per day by the number of days per month.
• Divide this by your vehicle’s efficiency per gallon.
• Multiply the answer by the price per gallon.

How much does a gallon of gas weigh?

A gallon of gasoline weighs approximately 6.073 lbs in the US.

Gasoline contains additives that affect its final weight. These vary from country to country. As such, it is impossible to give an exact weight worldwide.

Fuel efficiency

Fuel amount

Fuel Cost Calculator

Fuel Cost Calculator is a tool to estimate gas costs for your trip. The gas cost calculator is calculated based on the distance in miles or km, miles per gallon, and the gas price per gallon.

Gas Mileage Calculator

The gas mileage calculator is useful for anyone who wants to calculate the costs of driving from one city to another. If you are planning a route trip and is price conscious, then gas costs is definitely something you may want to take into account. The distance, the mileage, and the total fuel costs can add burden to your budget especially if you are travelling long distance. With the rise in gas prices, the cost on fuel can get out of control quickly if you don't plan carefully. At fuel cost calculator, you can use our free gas estimator to help you estimate the total costs on gas and plan accordingly.

How the fuel cost calculator works?

The fuel cost calculator uses the trip distance, miles per gallon, and the current gas price to calculate the total cost when you travel from one location to another. 1. Trip Distance - the distance in miles or kilometers between the two locations. 2. Miles Per Gallon - the number of miles or kilometers that you can travel with 1 gallon of gas. You will travel fewer mileages per gallon when travelling locally, and many more mileages when you are on a highway. The miles per gallon is the average miles that you can travel with one gallon of gas. 3. Gas Price - the current gas price per gallon. With only these 3 inputs, the gas cost calculator will calculate the total costs for you.

How to save money on fuel cost?

There are many ways to save on fuel cost when you are travelling locally and sometimes in long distance. 1. Public Transportation - can sometimes save you money than driving. With driving, you may have to pay toll and stuck in traffic during rush hours. You may also need to pay for parking fees at your destination. With public transportation such as subway, you can often get away with traffic and can do activies that you like during commute such as reading or playing with your phone. If you are someone who does not enjoy driving, taking public transportation may not be a bad option. 2. Carpool - if public transportation is not an option. You can carpool with a coworker if you are driving to work. Carpool allows both of you to save money and having someone to keep you company while driving so you don't get bored. 3. Electric Car - you can also get an electric vehicle like a Tesla to save money on gas costs. With a gas car, you may spend more money on gas than the electricity cost of an electric car. It may be most costly upfront to buy an electric car, but it may save you money in the long run if you are using your car on a daily basis or travelling a lot.

Fuel Cost Table

The fuel cost table shows you the total costs based on your trip distance, price per gallon, and MPG.

Fuel Cost Between Two Addresses

If you are not sure the distance between two addresses, you can serach the fuel cost between two locations with our tool. The tool will return the straight line distance and driving distance between any two locations, and the estimated fuel costs that will take you from one location to the other.

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Calculators » Home & Lifestyle » Trip Calculator

Trip Fuel Cost Calculator

Our online tools will provide quick answers to your calculation and conversion needs. On this page, you can calculate amount of fuel consumed and estimated cost of fuel (gas) for a journey or road trip.

Trip Distance: Mile(s) Kilometer(s)

Fuel Economy: miles per gallon [US] miles per gallon [Imp.] kilometers per liter liters per 100 kilometers gallons [US] per 100 miles

Gas Price: per gallon [US] per gallon [Imp.] per liter

Android: Use this trip fuel calculator offline with our all-in-one calculator app.

Fuel consumption calculation

We calculate the total fuel required to cover the distance with your vehicles fuel economy number and then multiply that with the gas price to find the total fuel cost for the trip.

Select the fuel economy unit used in your country from the options provided viz., miles per gallon (mpg) , kilometers per liter (kmpl) , liters per 100 kilometers and gallons per 100 miles . Our calculator will take care of all conversions required for finding the total fuel consumption and trip cost.

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Road Trip Gas Calculator

Welcome to our Gas Calculator - Your tool for trip budgeting. Compute travel expenses by entering miles, gas price, and fuel efficiency. Plan your journey confidently with accurate cost predictions

Cost per mile:

Total miles:

Planning Your Journey with a Road Trip Gas Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide

A Road Trip Gas Calculator is an invaluable tool for anyone planning a road trip, offering a simple way to estimate fuel costs based on distance, fuel efficiency, and gas prices.

This tool helps travelers budget accurately for their journeys, making road trips more enjoyable and stress-free.

This guide delves into the importance of calculating gas expenses, how a Road Trip Gas Calculator works, and its strategic benefits for optimizing travel plans and expenses.

Understanding Road Trip Gas Calculators

A Road Trip Gas Calculator estimates the amount of gas needed for a road trip and the total cost based on the vehicle's fuel efficiency, the trip's total distance, and the current price of gas.

This calculation allows travelers to plan their budget and make informed decisions about their route and travel logistics.

The Importance of Calculating Gas Expenses for Road Trips

Calculating gas expenses is crucial for several reasons:

Budget Planning : Helps travelers allocate funds accurately, ensuring that gas expenses are covered within their travel budget.

Route Optimization : Encourages travelers to consider different routes based on fuel efficiency and cost, possibly discovering more scenic or less expensive paths.

Expense Management : Aids in managing overall travel expenses by providing a clear picture of one of the trip's main costs.

How a Road Trip Gas Calculator Works

A Road Trip Gas Calculator requires three key pieces of information to provide an estimate of gas costs:

Vehicle Fuel Efficiency : The average miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (km/L) your vehicle can travel. This figure can typically be found in the vehicle's manual or online.

Trip Distance : The total miles or kilometers you plan to travel. This can be determined using a map or a GPS device.

Gas Price : The current price per gallon or liter of gas. This varies by location and can be found at local gas stations or through various online resources.

By inputting these details, the calculator will estimate the total quantity of fuel needed for the trip and the associated cost, based on the formula:

Total Gas Cost = (Trip Distance / Fuel Efficiency) × Gas Price

Advantages of using a road trip gas calculator.

Efficiency and Accuracy : Provides a quick and precise estimate of gas costs, facilitating effective travel planning.

Cost-Saving Insights : Offers the opportunity to explore cost-saving measures, such as optimizing the route or traveling at more fuel-efficient speeds.

Financial Preparedness : Helps travelers ensure they have allocated enough funds for fuel, avoiding potential budget shortfalls during the trip.

Implementing Gas Cost Calculations in Travel Planning

To effectively incorporate gas cost calculations into travel planning, consider the following practices:

Early Planning : Use the calculator during the early stages of travel planning to estimate gas expenses accurately and adjust your budget or route as needed.

Comparative Route Analysis : Compare different routes to determine which offers the best balance of fuel efficiency, travel time, and scenic value.

Regular Updates : As gas prices fluctuate, update your calculations close to your departure date for the most accurate budgeting.

Real-world Applications and Success Stories

Travelers frequently use Road Trip Gas Calculators to plan and budget for vacations, family visits, and other journeys.

For example, a family planning a cross-country road trip might use the calculator to determine the most cost-effective route, taking into account gas prices and their vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Similarly, solo adventurers and digital nomads use these calculators to manage their travel expenses, ensuring their journeys are both affordable and enjoyable.

A Road Trip Gas Calculator is an essential planning tool for anyone embarking on a road trip, providing valuable insights into fuel costs and helping to manage travel budgets effectively.

By enabling travelers to estimate and optimize their gas expenses, it contributes to a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience, ensuring that road trips remain a popular and accessible way to explore new destinations.

Fuel Cost Calculator – How Much will the Trip Cost?

On this page is a fuel cost calculator , which lets you estimate the cost of fuel you'll spend on a trip. Enter the trip distance, your cost of fuel, and your vehicle's fuel efficiency and the tool will guess how much you'll spend to power your trip.

Fuel Cost Calculator

Using the fuel cost calculator.

The fuel cost calculator is relatively straightforward, but you will have to make a few choices for us to guess at what you'll spend. Please fill in the following fields:

• Trip Distance (km or mi) - Enter the distance you'll be traveling on the trip, including any excursions you'll take off the main path. You don't need to enter units – the tool will assume miles or kilometers based on what you choose for fuel efficiency.
• Gas Cost (gal or l) - Enter how much you estimate gas to average over your trip. Use the pulldown menu to select your currency. There's no need to enter gallons or liters; the tool will use your choice under fuel efficiency.
• Fuel Efficiency - Enter the efficiency of your vehicle, followed by whether it's measured in "kilometers per liters" or "miles per gallon". Note that for the former, the output will be based on kilometers and liters, while for the latter choice it'll be based on miles and gallons.

Fuel Cost Calculator Outputs

Once you're happy with the above inputs, hit the "Compute Fuel Cost" button. The tool will give you two outputs that you can factor into your trip planning:

• Fuel Used - Based on your inputs, our estimate of how much fuel you'll use over your trip.
• Cost - Again, based on your inputs, a guess at how much you'll be spending on fuel costs for your trip.

Have a Great Trip!

Hopefully, this was a useful tool to help you budget your fuel costs on your next trip. We wish you safe travels – come back soon, or visit one of our other car, truck, van, and vehicle calculators:

• Gas Price Hedging Calculator
• Gas Mileage Calculator

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Cost of Driving Calculator

Fuel cost calculator, cost to drive between cities.

Travelmath provides an online driving cost calculator to help you determine how much you'll spend on gas for your next road trip. You can enter airports, cities, states, countries, or zip codes to compute the cost of driving between locations. Driving distances are calculated using actual driving directions if they are available, or a GPS-accurate method for the straight line distance . Automatic estimates are provided for local gas prices and vehicle fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km), based on the make and model of your car, SUV, or minivan. Don't let the economy and rising oil prices stop you from taking your next trip. You can use this tool to find out if it's cheaper to fly or drive to your destination.

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Gas Calculator –‌ Gas Costs, Mileage, Routes

Looking to calculate fuel cost for your trip on Google Maps? Use the Gas Cost Calculator App! See total trip cost breakdown - fuel, toll and other charges, tags - E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag - toll plaza, toll discounts. Travel on the cheapest or the fastest routes to your destination. For car, truck (2 axle to 9 axle), EV, RV, bus, motorcycle - across USA, Canada and Mexico roads, highways, bridges, tunnels and toll facilities. 

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Still not convinced? Just enter your origin, destination, Submit and see gas cost in seconds. Fill the optional fields - mileage, toll etc. - to get more accurate results.  

Electronic Toll gantry only accepting Toll tags

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Check out the detailed usage guide to know more about how to use the toll calculator, how the calculator works and much more.

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USA toll guide

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The Gas Calculator app is Free for car, SUV, Pickup truck, EV, taxi, rideshare, carpool, and motorcycle (without trailers) across the US, Canada and Mexico. For trucks, buses and RV with or without trailers, subscribe to Web Calculator . Alternatively, use our mobile apps ( iOS or Android ) for free trip calculations for all the vehicles including trucks. 

Other Toll Calculators

Can google maps calculate tolls.

No, Google Maps cannot calculate tolls. However, it can indicate where tolls are in turn-by-turn directions. Use TollGuru Toll calculator instead which is built on Google Maps but also calculates tolls for your trip by all vehicle types - across all the US states.

How do I calculate tolls for a road trip?

You can calculate tolls for your trip using TollGuru Toll Calculator app. All you have to do is specify origin and destination, and Submit. You can choose your vehicle type, toll tags, departure time and more. The mobile app (iOS or Android) is also available.

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Simple Fuel Calculator

Planning a road trip can be an exhilarating adventure, but amidst the excitement, it's essential not to overlook the practical aspects, particularly budgeting for fuel costs. Whether you're cruising the coastlines, exploring the vast outback, or navigating the scenic routes of the countryside, understanding the fuel expenditure for your journey is crucial. That's where a simple, yet powerful tool comes into play - the fuel calculator. This ingenious tool is designed to help you estimate the gas or petrol cost for your car road trip effortlessly.

The Importance of Fuel Cost Estimation

Fuel expenses can consume a significant portion of your road trip budget, especially with fluctuating fuel prices and long distances. By accurately calculating these costs beforehand, you can plan your budget more effectively, ensuring that your adventure is both enjoyable and financially manageable.

Introducing the Fuel Calculator

The fuel calculator is a user-friendly tool that simplifies the process of estimating your trip's fuel costs. To use it, you only need three pieces of information: the distance you're traveling, the current fuel price, and your car's fuel efficiency (miles per gallon or MPG).

How It Works

• Enter the Distance : Start by inputting the total distance of your road trip. This could be from your home to your destination and back, or the cumulative distance of various stops along the way.
• Fuel Price : Next, enter the current price of fuel. Since fuel prices can vary by location, using an average price or the price in your departure area is advisable.
• Car's MPG : Lastly, input your car's fuel efficiency. You can find this information in your car's manual or online if you're unsure.

With these three inputs, the fuel calculator does the math, providing you with an estimated fuel cost for your entire journey. This calculation considers the distance to be covered, the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, and the current fuel prices, offering you a clear insight into the expected fuel expenditure.

Why It's a Game-Changer for Road Trippers

• Budget-Friendly Planning : Knowing your fuel costs in advance helps you budget more accurately, allowing for better financial planning of your trip.
• Flexibility : If the estimated fuel cost is higher than anticipated, you can adjust your plans accordingly, whether by shortening the trip, selecting a more fuel-efficient vehicle, or finding ways to save on fuel.
• Ease of Use : The simplicity of entering just three values makes this tool accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.

Real-World Application

Imagine planning a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, a distance of approximately 380 miles. If fuel prices are averaging $4 per gallon and your car averages 30 MPG, the fuel calculator will estimate your total fuel cost for the trip. This straightforward calculation can be the difference between a well-budgeted adventure and an unexpectedly expensive journey.

In an era where fuel prices are unpredictable, having a reliable tool to estimate travel costs is indispensable for any road tripper. The simple fuel calculator empowers you to make informed decisions, ensuring your journey is not just about the destinations you explore but also about smart, budget-conscious travel. So, before you hit the road, take a moment to calculate your fuel costs—it could be the key to a more enjoyable and affordable adventure.

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How to estimate your travel costs

Did you know that Roadtrippers can help you estimate your fuel costs for your next road trip? Get started by entering your vehicle information in your profile.

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“I’m planning a 60-day road trip and this app makes it so much fun and far less work! I couldn’t imagine trying to plan a trip without it now.” David M.

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Discover the most incredible people, places, and experiences worth a detour. Share and collaborate with friends. Have fun planning your next weekend getaway, spring break road trip, or cross-country adventure.

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Fuel Cost Calculator

Want to know how much your next trip will cost for fuel? Just input a few details into our fuel cost calculator and you’ll get an instant fuel cost calculation and fuel consumption calculation for your one-way or return journey in the UK.

Fuel Needed (Litres)

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How to use our fuel cost calculator

Our fuel cost calculator is extremely easy to use, just use the input box to enter the price you’re paying per litre of fuel , your vehicle’s MPG (miles per gallon) figure, and the distance you intend to drive.

What does MPG mean?

In a nutshell, MPG means how many miles a car can go for every gallon of fuel. MPG is usually given as a number, and it can be used to compare the fuel efficiency of different vehicles.

The higher the MPG rating, the more efficient a car is , so choosing a vehicle with a high MPG can help you save money on fuel over time.

How our fuel cost calculator works

Our calculator uses a very simple formula to determine how much you will have to pay at the pumps for your journey. We use the formula: (c ost per litre x distance) ÷ vehicle MPG x 4.546.

How our calculator determines the fuel quantity required

Again, our calculator uses a very simple formula to calculate the amount of fuel needed for the journey. We use the formula: distance ÷ vehicle MPG x 4.546 .

Who needs a fuel and mileage cost calculator?

Anyone who travels a lot, either for work or pleasure can use our fuel and mileage cost calculator to see how much it would cost to get from A to B and back.

Whether you’re going on a weekend getaway or driving up and down the country for work, this tool can help you to budget better by letting you know exactly how much you have to pay at the pumps.

How to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and save money on fuel

With fuel prices on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to find ways to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Whether you have a car or van, there are several small adjustments that you can make that will help to reduce your fuel usage and save you money over time.

1. Check your tyre pressure regularly

Having the right tire pressure is essential for getting the most out of your fuel economy.

Underinflated tires cause more drag and decrease how efficiently your car runs. Make sure to check your tire pressure regularly and top them up as needed.

2. Reduce unnecessary weight in your car

It may not seem like much, but those extra few pounds can add up quickly when it comes to reducing your mileage.

Remove any unnecessary items from the boot of your car, such as sports equipment or heavy tools that you don’t use often. Every little bit helps.

3. Change your oil regularly

When oil gets too dirty, it can reduce engine performance and lead to decreased fuel efficiency. It is recommended that you get an oil change every 3-5 months (depending on the type of oil used) so that your engine stays clean and operates at its optimum level of performance.

4. Use cruise control whenever possible

Cruise control helps maintain consistent speeds which translates into improved mileage since you don’t have sudden starts and stops or fluctuating speeds while driving.

So if you are going on a long drive or even to another town, cruise control can be a great way to save some money on fuel.

5. Drive at steady speeds

Driving at steady speeds helps conserve fuel because when you accelerate quickly it uses up more fuel than when acceleration occurs slowly over time. Try driving at a steady speed whenever possible in order to maximize fuel efficiency.

6. Take care of your engine

Taking care of your engine is one of the best ways to ensure maximum fuel efficiency for your vehicle. Change air filters regularly and make sure all fluids are topped off so that it runs smoothly and efficiently.

7. Avoid idling

Idling your vehicle for extended periods of time wastes a lot of fuel and can significantly reduce fuel efficiency. Whenever possible, try to turn off the engine when you’re stopped instead of letting it idle.

8 . Avoid high speeds

Driving at higher speeds can decrease your fuel efficiency significantly. Whenever possible, try to keep your speed below the posted speed limit in order to maximize fuel efficiency.

9. Use eco mode

Most modern cars come with an eco mode, which you can use to help reduce fuel consumption and get better mileage.

This mode helps reduce engine power and alters your transmission shift points in order to conserve fuel.

10. Drive smarter

Last but not least, smart driving is the best way to reduce fuel usage and save money in the long run.

Smart driving techniques include accelerating slowly, avoiding sudden braking and idling, using cruise control, and following the speed limit.

By driving more efficiently you can reduce your overall fuel costs while also being kinder to the environment.

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The Simple Formula For Calculating How Much Gas Will Cost On Your Road Trip

T he idea of hitting the open road and enjoying an adventure without daily responsibilities included can be endlessly exciting. Yes, a road trip enjoyed alongside family and friends can feel liberating, but when it comes to your travel budget, the story might be a little more restrictive. Somehow, road trips have a way of adding up to totals beyond what travelers initially anticipate.

Between the cost of lodging, food, and the souvenir shopping to be done along the way too, things can understandably get pricey. It's not uncommon for it all to be more than you bargained for. One of the big hitters when it comes to your road trip budget is typically the amount you'll spend on gas.

Fluctuating gas prices from city to city and between states only add to the confusion. This makes having a plan in place before you get behind the wheel a good idea. While you can't control the price of gas, you can closely calculate what you'll spend by using a simple four-step process.

If you plan in advance, there's room to focus on the road trip fun ahead once you set off. You'll have a budget you can work with that won't cause added stress too. To calculate how much gas will ultimately cost on your road trip, you'll need to look at the gas mileage on your vehicle, how far you're traveling, and the gallons of gas required.

Start With Vehicle Fuel Efficiency And Miles You'll Travel

The first step in calculating how much gas will cost on your road trip is determining how many gallons of gas per mile your vehicle uses. Start by looking up your vehicle's fuel tank capacity which is found in the owner's manual. From here, it's easy to reset your trip odometer, fill up your tank and take note of how far you've gone when it's time to refill again.

It's important to remember that how you drive can make a difference in how your vehicle burns fuel during a road trip. City driving comes with a lot of stop-and-go traffic which uses more gas more quickly. Extended stretches of highway and interstate driving can make gas go farther.

When figuring out the gallons per mile on your vehicle, make sure to use the driving techniques you're likely to use on your road trip for a more accurate picture of gas mileage. If you have multiple vehicles, it's worth your while to test them all. The more fuel-efficient model is going to save you money in the long run.

Step two is to take a look at the total distance you anticipate you'll be traveling. Modern apps like Google Maps make this a fairly quick and easy task. While you might not know exactly what all of your side stops will be, consider adding in a few you think you'll be making to get a more accurate mile count.

Gallons Of Gas Give You The Cost You've Been Looking For

The third step in this calculation is to note current gas prices. This is going to fluctuate everywhere you travel, but using the national average is a useful point of reference for this cost equation. AAA has an easy-to-view national gas price log that adjusts daily. The U.S. Department of Energy also provides a gas price map where costs can be broken down by state and city.

The final step in calculating your road trip gas costs involves some easy math. Begin by dividing your total trip miles by your vehicle's miles per gallon. The answer is the total gallons of gas your journey is going to require.

Multiplying the total gallons of gas needed by the national gas price average will result in an accurate estimate of what you'll spend on gas during your trip. Having this number available will help you budget more efficiently. It will also give you the freedom to worry less about overspending along the way.

You can't control or even plan out every little detail of a trip . You most likely wouldn't want to anyway when unexpected adventures are often half the fun of a road trip. However, the cost of gas isn't something you have to leave to chance when you have this handy calculation available. Put it to use and feel free to let the exploring officially begin.

Read this next: Safety Items You Should Pack For Your Next Road Trip

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U.s. department of energy - energy efficiency and renewable energy, alternative fuels data center.

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from air transportation. SAF can be blended at different levels with limits between 10% and 50%, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), over 360,000 commercial flights have used SAF at 46 different airports largely concentrated in the United States and Europe.

Worldwide, aviation accounts for 2% of all carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and 12% of all CO 2 emissions from transportation. ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) caps net CO 2 aviation emissions at 2020 levels through 2035. The international aviation industry has set an aspirational goal to reach net zero carbon by 2050 . SAF presents the best near-term opportunity to meet these goals. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge , announced in 2021, brings together multiple federal agencies for the purpose of expanding domestic consumption to 3 billion gallons in 2030 and 35 billion gallons in 2050 while achieving at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable hydrocarbon biofuels offer many benefits, including:

Engine and infrastructure compatibility —SAF blended with conventional Jet A can be used in existing aircraft and infrastructure.

Fewer emissions —Compared with conventional jet fuel, 100% SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 94% depending on feedstock and technology pathway.

More flexibility —SAF is a replacement for conventional jet fuel, allowing for multiple products from various feedstocks and production technologies.

SAF can be produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks including, but not limited to, the food and yard waste portion of municipal solid waste, woody biomass, fats/greases/oils, and other feedstocks. SAF production is in its early stages, with three known commercial producers:

• World Energy began SAF production in 2016 at its Paramount, California, facility and initially supplied fuel to Los Angeles International Airport prior to supplying additional California airports.
• International producer Neste began supplying SAF to San Francisco International Airport in 2020 before expanding to other California airports in 2021 and 2022, as well as Aspen/Pitkin County Airport and Telluride Regional Airport, both in Colorado.
• Montana Renewables LLC began production in partnership with Shell at an existing petroleum production plant in 2023, supplying fuel to several partner airlines.

Additional new domestic plants are expected. Many airlines have signed agreements with existing and future SAF producers to use all their expected output. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collects renewable fuel data as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which provides an approximate consumption for novel biofuels such as SAF. EPA's data show that approximately 5 million gallons of SAF were consumed in 2021, 15.84 million gallons in 2022, and 24.5 million gallons in 2023.

There are multiple technology pathways to produce fuels approved by ASTM and blending limitations based on these pathways. ASTM D7566 Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons dictates fuel quality standards for non-petroleum-based jet fuel and outlines approved SAF-based fuels and the percent allowable in a blend with Jet A. All three existing plants use the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids pathway shown in the table on this page. New domestic plants using the alcohol-to-jet pathway with ethanol as a feedstock are expected. ASTM D1655 Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels allows co-processing of biomass feedstocks at a petroleum refinery in blends up to 5%.

Both ASTM standards are continuously updated to allow for advancements in technology to produce SAF. DOE's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Review of Technical Pathways provides details on various SAF production pathways. The pathways below represent only those currently approved by ASTM. Processes and tests exist for the approval of other feedstocks, fuel molecules, and blending limits, and the types of approved fuels will increase as these are evaluated through this process.

Distribution

SAF must be blended with Jet A prior to use in an aircraft. If SAF is co-processed with conventional Jet A at an existing petroleum refinery, the fuel would flow through the supply chain in a business-as-usual model via pipeline to terminals and onwards by pipeline or truck to airports. It is expected that SAF produced at biofuels facilities would be blended with Jet A at existing fuel terminals and then delivered to airports by pipeline or truck. The fuels could also be blended at the terminal directly upstream of an airport or thousands of miles away and transported by pipeline or barge to a terminal near the airport. There would be no change to fuel operations at the airport, as airports are expected to continue to receive blended fuel in the same pipelines and trucks as they do today. While it is technically possible to blend fuels at an airport, it is not the most practical or cost-effective method due to the need for additional equipment, staff, and insurance. Due to strict fuel quality standards, it is preferable to certify SAF as ASTM D1655 upstream of an airport.

Research and Development

The U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture support research, development, and analysis for SAF.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge Roadmap

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Review of Technical Pathways

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Analysis

• U.S. Airport Infrastructure and Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Toward Net-Zero Sustainable Aviation Fuel With Wet Waste–Derived Volatile Fatty Acids

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey SAF Study

More Information

Learn more about SAF at the links below. The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) and DOE do not endorse any companies or services described on this site (see disclaimer ).

• Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative
• The International Air Transit Association (IATA) SAF
• MIT Greenhouse Gas Accounting Guidelines for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Maps & Data

More Sustainable Aviation Fuel Data | All Maps & Data

Publications

• Evaluation of Performance Variables to Accelerate the Deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels at a Regional Scale
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Sustainable Aviation Fuel Logistics and Production Study

More Sustainable Aviation Fuel Publications | All Publications

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Thinking of taking a last-minute drive to see the eclipse here's what to know.

Geoff Brumfiel

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred. AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred.

NASA says that roughly 31.6 million people live in the path of this year's total solar eclipse, and a little under half of the U.S. population lives within 200 miles driving distance of the path of totality .

That could mean many millions of Americans will hit the road to get a better view on April 8. If you're still pondering whether or not you want to make the journey, here's what to consider.

Have some destinations in mind, and check the weather and cloud cover forecasts in advance

It's a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance, so that you have some flexibility if traffic or weather is threatening your plans, says Jonathan Upchurch, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Arizona State University who has studied travel around solar eclipses.

There are several interactive tools that show the path of totality, including Eclipse2024.org and the National Solar Observatory . You can use them to figure out what sites might work best for you.

In terms of weather, check not just the weather forecast, but also the cloud cover forecast. Some websites, such as Windy.com will predict cloud cover ahead of time, giving you a sense of whether you'll actually be able to see the eclipse in all its glory.

Everything you need to know about solar eclipse glasses before April 8

During the total solar eclipse in 2017, Upchurch says he chose to go to Idaho "because there were some great chances of having sunny skies, and I had the opportunity to be nimble and relocate if I wanted to."

Before driving into the path of totality, make sure your gas tank is full and that you've got everything you need

During the last total solar eclipse in 2017, it's estimated some 5 million people took to the roads, and those numbers will potentially be much higher this year.

Given all that, Upchurch says it's important to make sure you're taking what you need into the path of totality. You should make sure your car is gassed or charged up, and that you have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while, especially when trying to leave.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Totality stretches from Texas to Maine

Simple tips to safely photograph the eclipse with your cellphone.

Also don't forget to bring eclipse glasses, which must be worn anytime you're looking at the sun, except for the few minutes when it is completely blocked by the moon.

Some state emergency planners also recommend bringing a paper map or road atlas in case cellular networks become overloaded with visitors seeking directions from their phones.

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone! Erika Goldring/FilmMagic hide caption

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone!

Arrive early and stay late

Once you figure out where you're going to watch the eclipse, and you've got your supplies, try to get there early. Although traffic is likely to be heavier than normal on the morning of eclipse day, it still should be possible to reach many destinations without too much hassle, says Upchurch.

"Leaving is definitely going to be more of a problem," he says. As the eclipse concludes, people will take to the roads all at once to try and get home as fast as they can. In 2017, that led to traffic jams that lasted many hours in some areas. If possible, Upchurch says, people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush, which in 2017 stretched even into the following day in some parts of the country.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

And one more thing: If you do find yourself on the move near the time of the eclipse, state officials stress that you should not simply pull over to the side of the road or highway you're driving on. It's important to be parked legally and safely at the moment of totality.

If you're already in the path of totality: Relax and enjoy!

Several major metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality, so there's no need to seek a better view, Upchurch says. You'll probably have the most fun simply staying where you are.

Shots - Health News

Watching a solar eclipse without the right filters can cause eye damage. here's why.

If you're on the edge of the path of totality, however, you might consider making a short trip to get closer to the center of the eclipse's path.

"If you're within about 40 miles of the center line, you'll have two-and-a-half minutes or more" of complete totality, Upchurch says. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth making the trip to a more central location.

Despite studying the potential hassles of traveling extensively, Upchurch says he's still looking forward to seeing the 2024 eclipse, which he plans to watch from Texas.

"Totality is absolutely spectacular," he says. "If you have a chance to witness it, I would do it."

• 2024 solar eclipse
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• 2024 eclipse
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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

Australia's Beach flags delay to 2025 on Waitsia LNG

Australia's Beach Energy on Monday flagged a 50% cost blowout and a fresh delay on its Waitsia Stage 2 gas project in Western Australia, with first production now expected in early 2025 instead of mid-2024 due to quality issues.

The warning sent Beach's shares down as much as 22%, on track for their worst day in nearly three years.

Waitsia is a joint venture with Japan's Mitsui & Co , which is the operator of the project being developed to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the North West Shelf LNG plant run by Woodside Energy .

Beach raised its share of the total capital expenditure estimate for the project to between A$600 million ($394 million) and A$650 million from A$400 million to A$450 million.

The latest revision follows a A$50 million increase in cost estimates in May 2023. First gas was originally expected in late 2023.

"Having to redirect existing onsite labour to remedial works is slowing the progress of pre-commissioning activities, resulting in further delay and cost increases," said Managing Director and CEO Brett Woods.

Not only are quality problems costing the joint venture more, but the delay means the partners have to buy LNG on the commercial market to fill contracts until production begins. It supplied one LNG cargo in December 2023, and Beach said it expects to lift one more cargo by June.

The joint venture is looking for profitable time-swap arrangements with other Western Australian gas market players who have extra gas before the gas plant is finished in exchange for these volumes being returned when needed, Beach said.

($1 = 1.5223 Australian dollars)