Fuel cost calculator: what will this trip cost?
By Sithum Imarsha Last reviewed
A 286 km trip in a RAV4 Hybrid (to 2025) uses about 14.25 L of unleaded 91. At 237.5c a litre (national average, week ending 27 September 2026) that is about $33.84, or 11.8c per km.
Your result
Fuel for this trip
$33.84
286 km × 4.98 L/100km = 14.25 L, at 237.5c a litre
- Litres
- 14.25L
- Per km
- 11.8c
- Each person
- A year at the ABS average (12,600 km)
- $1,491
Check the fuel.
Road test. AAA's road test of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GX (2022) used 2.1% more than its label (4.8 against 4.7 L/100km).
Price. Default price: National average for the week ending 27 September 2026, cents per litre including GST. Source: Australian Institute of Petroleum, Weekly Petrol Prices Report. Retail data supplied to AIP by MotorMouth. AIP weekly reports.
An EV instead? Charged at home at the Australian average rate, a Model Y AWD 600 km would cost about $14.55 for this trip. EV charging cost vs petrol.
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How we calculated this
Trip distance
The one-way distance, doubled for a return trip.
286 km
Fuel use per 100 km
A Green Vehicle Guide label figure is a lab test, so we add the real-world uplift (an Estimate from AAA road tests). A trip computer figure is used as it is.
4.98 L/100km
Litres for the trip
Distance × fuel use ÷ 100.
14.25 L
Trip cost
Litres × the price per litre.
14.25 L × 237.5c = $33.84
Per km and per person
Trip cost ÷ distance, and ÷ the people sharing it.
11.8c a km
Default price: capital-city or national average for the week ending 27 September 2026, cents per litre including GST. Source: Australian Institute of Petroleum, Weekly Petrol Prices Report (diesel: Weekly Diesel Prices Report). Retail data supplied to AIP by MotorMouth. AIP weekly prices reports.
| Region | Unleaded 91 | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (national average) | 237.5 | 286.7 |
| NSW (Sydney average) | 238.2 | 283.3 |
| VIC (Melbourne average) | 234.9 | 287.7 |
| QLD (Brisbane average) | 237.7 | 289.1 |
| SA (Adelaide average) | 233.5 | 288.3 |
| WA (Perth average) | 232.7 | 279.7 |
| TAS (Hobart average) | 244.0 | 290.2 |
| ACT (Canberra average) | 248.2 | 298.0 |
| NT (Darwin average) | 244.9 | 292.6 |
Each state price is its capital city's average. Prices outside the capitals are often higher, so type the price you expect on the road. AIP reports no premium price, so type yours.
| Car | Label | Fuel listed | AAA on the road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger 2026 XLT Double Cab 4WD 3.0 V6 diesel, 10-spd auto | 8.3 | Diesel | 8.9 (AAA label 8.4) |
| Ford Ranger 2026 XL Double Cab 4x4 2.0 diesel, 10-spd auto | 7.2 | Diesel | 7.8 (AAA label 7.6) |
| Toyota RAV4 2021-2025 Hybrid 2WD (GXL/XSE/Cruiser) 2.5, CVT | 4.7 | Unleaded 91 | 4.8 (AAA label 4.7) |
| Toyota RAV4 2026 Hybrid 2WD 2.5, CVT | 4.5 | 95 RON | Not tested |
| Toyota HiLux 2025 SR5 Utility 4WD 2.8 diesel 48V, 6-spd auto | 7.2 | Diesel | 7.9 (AAA label 7.9) |
| Isuzu D-Max 2025 3.0 4x4 Crew Cab Utility, 6-spd auto | 7.1 | Diesel | 8.5 (AAA label 8.0) |
| Ford Everest 2026 Active 4WD 7-seat 2.0 diesel, 10-spd auto | 7.1 | Diesel | 7.1 (AAA label 7.2) |
| Ford Everest 2026 Sport 4WD 7-seat 3.0 V6 diesel, 10-spd auto | 8.5 | Diesel | 9.2 (AAA label 8.5) |
| Toyota Prado 2024 5-seat 2.8 diesel 48V, 8-spd auto | 7.6 | Diesel | 8.2 (AAA label 7.6) |
| Hyundai Kona 2023 2.0 MPI (18-inch), CVT | 6.6 | Unleaded 91 | 6.9 (AAA label 6.6) |
| Hyundai Kona 2023 1.6 Hybrid, 6-spd auto | 3.9 | Unleaded 91 | 5.2 (AAA label 3.9) |
| Mazda CX-5 2017-2025 2.0 2WD, 6-spd auto | 6.9 | Unleaded 91 | 7.9 (AAA label 6.9) |
| Mazda CX-5 2026 2.5 AWD, 6-spd auto | 7.4 | Unleaded 91 | Not tested |
| Mitsubishi Outlander 2025 ES 5-seat 2WD 2.5, CVT | 7.5 | Unleaded 91 | 7.9 (AAA label 7.6) |
| Chery Tiggo 4 2025 1.5T 2WD, CVT | 7.4 | Unleaded 91 | 8.8 (AAA label 7.3) |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid 2025 1.5 DHT 2WD | 5.4 | Unleaded 91 | 5.3 (AAA label 5.4) |
| Hyundai Tucson 2024 2.0 MPI 2WD, 6-spd auto | 8.1 | Unleaded 91 | 7.9 (AAA label 8.1) |
| Hyundai Tucson 2025 1.6T Hybrid 2WD, 6-spd auto | 4.9 | Unleaded 91 | 5.7 (AAA label 5.3) |
| MG ZS 2024 1.5, CVT | 6.7 | Unleaded 91 | 7.7 (AAA label 7.1) |
| MG ZS Hybrid+ 2024 1.5 | 4.7 | Unleaded 91 | 5.0 (AAA label 4.7) |
| GWM Haval Jolion 2024 1.5 Hybrid 2WD | 5.1 | Unleaded 91 | 6.5 (AAA label 5.1) |
| GWM Haval Jolion 2021 1.5T 2WD, 7-spd auto | 8.1 | Unleaded 91 | 7.9 (AAA label 8.1) |
| Kia Sportage 2025 S 2.0 petrol 2WD, 6-spd auto | 8.1 | Unleaded 91 | 8.3 (AAA label 8.1) |
| Kia Sportage 2025 SX Hybrid 2WD, 6-spd auto | 4.9 | Unleaded 91 | 5.6 (AAA label 4.9) |
| Toyota Corolla 2022 1.8 Hybrid hatch, CVT | 4.0 | Unleaded 91 | 4.2 (AAA label 4.2) |
| Toyota Corolla 2022-2024 2.0 petrol sedan, CVT | 5.9 | 95 RON | 6.2 (AAA label 6.0) |
| Mitsubishi Triton 2026 GLX+ Double Cab 4WD 2.4 diesel, 6-spd auto | 7.7 | Diesel | 7.9 (AAA label 7.7) |
| Default | Value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-world uplift on a label figure | 6% | Worked out as the mean gap of 162 petrol, diesel and hybrid cars in the AAA Real-World Testing Program, results to May 2026 (mean 6.3%, median 5.0%) | Estimate |
| Kilometres a year | 12,600 km | ABS Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, 12 months to 30 June 2018 (last survey before COVID) | Official source |
| Starting trip: Sydney to Canberra | 286 km | Worked out from the OSRM fastest car route on OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Sydney city centre to Canberra city centre, queried 30 September 2026: 285.5 km, rounded | Estimate |
Sources
- Australian Institute of Petroleum: Weekly Prices Reports
- Australian Institute of Petroleum: Weekly Petrol Prices Report, week ending 27 September 2026 (retail data supplied by MotorMouth)
- Australian Institute of Petroleum: Weekly Diesel Prices Report, week ending 27 September 2026 (retail data supplied by MotorMouth)
- Green Vehicle Guide: vehicle search (L/100km for each variant)
- Green Vehicle Guide: fuel consumption label (ADR 81/02 and 81/03)
- Green Vehicle Guide: real world emissions
- Green Vehicle Guide: tips to reduce your emissions
- AAA: Real-World Testing Program results
- AAA: 76% of cars tested use more fuel than advertised (18 Jun 2026)
- FCAI: new vehicle market remains resilient (6 Jan 2026)
- CarExpert: VFACTS 2025 full year (6 Jan 2026)
- fueleconomy.gov: Odometer Method (US Department of Energy)
- CarsGuide: how to calculate fuel consumption (28 Dec 2022)
- OpenStreetMap: copyright and licence (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL)
- OSRM: open source routing machine
- CarsGuide: Sydney to Melbourne drive (2 Nov 2020)
- Wikivoyage: Sydney to Melbourne by car
- Wikivoyage: Sydney to Brisbane by car
- Wikivoyage: Canberra
- RACV: Melbourne to Adelaide road trip (24 Mar 2025)
- Tourism Australia: day trips from Brisbane
- Tourism Australia: guide to Margaret River
- ABS Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, 2018
- ABS Survey of Motor Vehicle Use, 2020 (final release)
Questions
How much does a road trip cost in fuel?
One way from Sydney to Canberra costs about $33.84 in a RAV4 Hybrid (to 2025), at the latest weekly national average unleaded price (week ending 27 September 2026). A Toyota HiLux SR5 on diesel costs about $62.58. Type your own distance and car to price yours.
Why does my car use more fuel than its label?
The label is a lab test. AAA drove 162 petrol, diesel and hybrid cars on the road in its Real-World Testing Program. On average they used 6.3% more fuel than the label (median 5%). AAA drives carefully, to fixed rules. By fuel: petrol 6.1%, diesel 2.8%, hybrids 10.3%. As an Estimate, we add 6% to label figures. Your own driving is often higher.
Does driving faster use more fuel?
Yes. The Green Vehicle Guide says a car can use up to 25% more fuel at 110 km/h than at 90 km/h. The calculator does not know your speed, so for a fast highway trip, raise the real-world uplift.
What price do you use for premium fuel?
None. AIP does not report a premium price. Type what you pay. In our list, the Green Vehicle Guide lists 95 RON for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2026) and Toyota Corolla 2.0 sedan. Check your owner's manual for the fuel your car needs.
Can my car use E10?
Check your owner's manual or the NSW Government's E10 compatibility check. We do not list E10 for each car.
Why is the price at my servo different?
The default is AIP's weekly average for your capital city, or the national average. Prices outside the capitals are often higher, and prices move during the week. Type the price you expect to pay.