Fuel Cost Calculator UK
The fuel cost calculator works out litres, total cost and pence per mile for fleet buyers, hauliers, van operators and motorists. Compare vehicle presets or enter custom MPG, then add AdBlue or a return trip.
- No sign-up needed
- Instant results in your browser
- Published UK data
How to use: set the one-way distance, choose a vehicle preset (or enter your own mpg), adjust the diesel price to your pump or bunker rate, then read the litres, cost and pence per mile below.
Your journey
The pence per litre figure is your own price at the pump or your bunker or bulk rate, whichever you pay. Fuel economy uses UK imperial gallons (4.54609 litres).
Methodology and assumptions
The calculator is deliberately simple and transparent so you can check every figure. Fuel used is worked out from the distance and the vehicle's fuel economy in miles per gallon, using the UK imperial gallon of 4.54609 litres:
Litres = (distance in miles ÷ mpg) × 4.54609. Fuel cost = litres × price per litre. Cost per mile = fuel cost ÷ distance.
The default economy figures are typical laden road averages for each class (3.5t van 28 mpg, 7.5t rigid 17 mpg, 18t rigid 12 mpg, 26t rigid 10.5 mpg, 44t artic 9.5 mpg). Real mpg varies with load, terrain, driver, speed and traffic, so treat the presets as a starting point and enter your own figure with the custom option for a firm number. AdBlue, when switched on, is estimated at 5% of diesel volume, which is a common rule of thumb for modern SCR engines (typical range 3% to 6%), and is priced at the editable rate you enter. The diesel price defaults to the latest official UK average pump price from the DESNZ weekly road fuel prices statistics, which the page refreshes automatically each week; update it to your current pump or bunker rate. Assumptions current as of July 2026.
This tool models fuel only. It does not include AdBlue unless you switch it on, and it excludes tolls, driver time, maintenance, tyres and standing costs. To build a full rate per mile including those, use our cost per mile calculator, and if you want the fuel figure translated into carbon for reporting, use our freight CO2e calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate HGV fuel cost per mile?
Divide the distance by the lorry's miles per gallon to get gallons, multiply by 4.54609 to get litres, multiply by your diesel price per litre, then divide the total cost by the miles driven. This calculator does all of that instantly and also shows the litres used and the total cost.
What mpg should I use for a 44 tonne artic?
A fully freighted 44t articulated lorry typically returns around 8 to 10 mpg, so we default to 9.5 mpg. Newer aerodynamic tractor units on steady motorway work can beat that, while urban, hilly or heavily laden running will be worse. For a quote-grade figure, use your own fleet telematics number in the custom field.
Is the diesel price the pump price or a bunker rate?
Whichever you actually pay. Owner-drivers and small fleets often pay close to the forecourt pump price, while larger operators fuel at bunker sites or on bulk delivery at a lower pence per litre. Enter your real cost so the result reflects your business.
Should I include AdBlue in the fuel cost?
For a true running cost, yes. Modern diesel HGVs use AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) at roughly 3% to 6% of fuel consumption. We use 5% as a sensible default. Switch on the AdBlue option to add its litres and cost to the result.
Why compare different vehicle types for the same journey?
Because the cheapest vehicle to run per mile is not always the cheapest way to move your goods. A van is cheap per mile but carries little, while an artic burns more fuel but moves far more per trip. Seeing the classes side by side helps you match vehicle to load and avoid paying artic fuel bills for van-sized consignments.
Moving freight regularly? Let vetted operators price it
Once you know the fuel and mileage cost, the next question is who runs it. Brief CTS on what you need to move and we place your requirement in front of vetted UK hauliers with the right fleet and licence. It is free and there is no obligation. See our contract haulage and transport outsourcing options.
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