The calculator above is set up for a commute: enter your one-way distance, keep 'Return' selected, and set your journeys per week to the number of days you drive in.
Example: a 15-mile commute
Driving 15 miles each way, five days a week, in a car averaging 40 MPG with petrol at £1.45:
- Daily (30 miles): about £4.94
- Weekly: about £24.72
- Monthly: about £107.12
- Annual: about £1,285
Working from home two days a week would cut that to around £771 a year.
Why commuting MPG is often lower
Rush-hour traffic, short distances and cold starts all reduce fuel economy. If your trip computer shows a lower average on weekday mornings, use that figure here.
Ways to cut commuting costs
Car sharing with a colleague can halve your cost. Leaving slightly earlier to avoid the worst congestion can also help. See our tips below and the cost per mile calculator to compare cars.
How can I reduce my fuel costs?
Small habits add up over a year of driving. None of these are dramatic on their own, but together they can noticeably improve your real-world MPG:
- Accelerate and brake smoothly. Reading the road ahead and avoiding harsh acceleration uses less fuel.
- Keep tyres at the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance. Check the pressures in your handbook or on the door pillar.
- Remove unnecessary weight. Clear out the boot and take off empty roof boxes and bars when you don't need them.
- Plan journeys and combine trips. A warm engine is more efficient, so one longer round trip often beats several short ones.
- Keep the car maintained. Regular servicing keeps the engine running as intended.
- Compare fuel prices. Prices can vary between nearby forecourts, and motorway services are often more expensive.