Road trips are one of the most flexible ways to travel, especially across Australia where distances are huge and public transport is thin. But those same distances mean fuel can become the biggest single cost, so working it out in advance helps you pick a realistic route and avoid running short halfway.
Fuel is the obvious cost, but tolls and accommodation along the way often add up to just as much. Adding all three together gives you a number you can actually plan around.
What makes up a road trip budget
- Fuel: usually the biggest cost. Depends on distance, your car's economy and the pump price, which rises in remote areas.
- Tolls: significant on some city and motorway routes; plan whether to use toll roads or avoid them.
- Accommodation: overnight stops on multi-day drives — often the second-biggest cost after fuel.
- Food & stops: roadhouse meals, coffee and snacks add up on a long drive; packing your own saves money.
- Vehicle: don't forget a service check before a long trip, and factor in any rental cost if you're not using your own car.
How to cut road trip costs
Fuel is where most savings live: keep tyres properly inflated, drive smoothly, avoid roof boxes that increase drag, and fill up in towns rather than remote roadhouses where prices spike. Use a fuel-price app to find the cheapest stations on your route. For accommodation, mixing camping or budget motels with the occasional nicer stay keeps the nightly cost down, and travelling midweek is often cheaper. Packing snacks and a refillable water bottle cuts the constant small spends.
Run your own numbers
Enter your distance, fuel figures, tolls and any overnight stops for a full trip cost.
Trip cost → fuel, tolls and stays combined
Indicative only — for a return trip, enter the round-trip distance, and check current fuel prices.
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Questions
How do I work out fuel cost for a trip?
Multiply your distance by the car's litres-per-100km, divide by 100 to get total litres, then multiply by the fuel price. The calculator above does this for you — just enter the three numbers.
Where do I find my car's fuel consumption?
Check the owner's manual, the manufacturer's website, or your car's trip computer, which often shows real-world average consumption. Real-world figures are usually a little higher than the official rating, so round up slightly for a safer estimate.
Is fuel more expensive in remote areas?
Yes, often noticeably. Remote roadhouses charge more because of transport costs, so fill up in larger towns when you can and don't let the tank run low between settlements on long outback stretches.
How can I reduce fuel use on a road trip?
Keep tyres at the right pressure, drive smoothly at steady speeds, remove roof racks or boxes when not needed, and don't carry unnecessary weight. Air conditioning at high speed uses less than open windows, which add drag.
Should I avoid toll roads?
It depends on the trade-off. Tolls cost money but can save significant time and fuel on congested routes. For occasional trips, check whether a temporary toll pass or tag is needed in the region you're driving through.
How many hours a day should I plan to drive?
For safety and enjoyment, many travellers cap driving at around 6–8 hours a day with regular breaks every two hours. Building in shorter driving days leaves time to actually see places along the route rather than just passing through.
Costs vary by vehicle, fuel price, route and season. The figures here are general guidance only and depend on the numbers you enter. Always check current fuel prices and tolls for your route.