How Detour Fuel Cost Calculator Works?
This tool works by dividing the extra detour miles by your miles per gallon (MPG) and multiplying by the fuel price. The result is the fuel cost of going out of your way.
Enter extra detour miles
Type the added miles caused by a closure, a side stop, or a longer route. The default is 22 miles (35 km).
Enter vehicle MPG
Type the MPG for the detour roads.
Enter the fuel price
Type the price per gallon.
Read the detour cost
The tool returns the fuel dollars spent on the detour.
Detour Fuel Cost Calculator Formula
The formula is Detour Cost = (Detour Miles ÷ MPG) × Fuel Price.
Detour Cost = (Detour Miles ÷ MPG) × Fuel PriceFormula variables
- Detour Miles
- Extra miles beyond the planned route.
- MPG
- Fuel economy on the detour.
- Fuel Price
- Dollars per US gallon (3.785 L).
Worked example
- Extra Detour Miles: 22 miles
- Vehicle MPG: 26 MPG
- Fuel Price: $3.60/gal
- Gallons: 22 ÷ 26 = 0.85 gallons (3.2 L).
- Cost: 0.85 × $3.60 = $3.05.
Result: $3.05 ($ detour fuel cost)
Fuel is only part of a detour's cost. A 22-mile detour adds 20 to 30 minutes of driving time and wear on the vehicle.
Detour Fuel Cost Calculator Conversion Table
The table shows detour fuel costs for 5 detour lengths at 3 MPG ratings, with fuel at $3.60 per gallon.
Rows: Extra Detour Miles (miles). Columns: Vehicle MPG (MPG). Cells: $ detour fuel cost.
| miles | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 35 MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 miles | $1.00 | $0.69 | $0.51 |
| 10 miles | $2.00 | $1.38 | $1.03 |
| 22 miles | $4.40 | $3.05 | $2.26 |
| 40 miles | $8.00 | $5.54 | $4.11 |
| 60 miles | $12.00 | $8.31 | $6.17 |
Values held constant: Fuel Price = $3.60/gal.
A 60-mile (97 km) detour costs $12.00 in an 18 MPG truck and $6.17 in a 35 MPG car.
What is Detour Fuel Cost Calculator?
The Detour Fuel Cost Calculator is a tool that prices the fuel spent on unplanned or optional extra miles. The tool helps drivers judge whether a detour is worth the cost.
Detours come from road closures, construction, a stop at a favorite restaurant, or a scenic route. Each adds miles and fuel.
The tool reports fuel cost only, which makes comparisons with tolls or time easy.
What are the uses of Detour Fuel Cost Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Detour Fuel Cost Calculator: comparing detours with tolls, pricing errand side trips, logging road closure costs, and planning scenic routes.
Comparing detours with tolls
Drivers compare a $5 toll with the fuel cost of a longer free road.
Pricing errand side trips
Drivers check whether a store across town is worth the extra miles.
Logging road closure costs
Fleets record extra fuel caused by closures.
Planning scenic routes
Travelers price the extra fuel for a scenic highway.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.