Road Trip Planning

What surprises most people is which variables actually move the total. Regional price differences matter more than expected: the same tank can vary by a dollar a gallon or more between states, so a route that crosses a high-tax state costs real money regardless of how you drive. Vehicle choice matters enormously on long distances, where a fully loaded roof rack quietly undoes a lot of careful planning. Driving style matters least on highways, which is where most of the miles are — the hypermiling tricks that work in town have little room to operate at a steady 70.

Each route guide gives a concrete total for a typical vehicle and flags where costs cluster along the way. If your trip isn't listed, the calculator handles arbitrary multi-stop routes, and the cross-country guide explains how the estimates are built.