Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
Use these example rows as planning references for field logistics, maintenance routing, or equipment support budgeting.
| Scenario | Distance/Trip | Trips | Model | Efficiency | Fuel Price | Reserve | Estimated Budget Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site survey convoy | 120 km | 8 | km/L | 8.5 | 1.35 | 10% | 154.1 L |
| Generator support truck | 95 km | 14 | L/100 km | 18.2 | 1.48 | 12% | 307.8 L |
| Inspection pickup route | 78 mi | 10 | mpg (US) | 21.5 | 3.89 | 8% | 46.6 gal |
Formula Used
Travel Fuel Formulas
For km/L or MPG models:
Base Travel Fuel = Total Distance ÷ Efficiency
For L/100 km model:
Base Travel Fuel = (Total Distance × L/100 km) ÷ 100
Total Distance:
Total Distance = Distance per Trip × Number of Trips
Budget and Cost Formulas
Adjustment Multiplier = 1 + (Terrain % + Traffic % + Auxiliary %) ÷ 100
Adjusted Travel Fuel = Base Travel Fuel × Adjustment Multiplier
Idle Fuel = Idle Hours × Idle Burn Rate
Operational Fuel = Adjusted Travel Fuel + Idle Fuel
Reserve Fuel = Operational Fuel × Reserve %
Budget Fuel = Operational Fuel + Reserve Fuel
Fuel Cost = Budget Fuel × Fuel Price per Unit
Grand Total = Fuel Cost + Other Fixed Costs
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter a project or route name for easier reporting.
- Select the efficiency model that matches your vehicle, fleet record, or equipment specification sheet.
- Input distance per trip and total number of trips. Use kilometers for metric modes and miles for MPG modes.
- Provide fuel price, idle time, and hourly idle burn if your operation includes waiting, loading, standby power, or traffic delays.
- Add terrain, traffic, and auxiliary load percentages to reflect real operating conditions instead of ideal laboratory efficiency.
- Set a reserve allowance for contingency planning and add any fixed non-fuel costs tied to the route or job.
- Press the calculate button to display the result summary above the form, export the report, and review the Plotly graph.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates travel fuel, idle fuel, reserve fuel, fuel cost, total project cost, cost per trip, cost per distance, and optional CO₂ impact.
2. Can I use it for fleets instead of one vehicle?
Yes. Enter trip totals and efficiency values that represent the fleet average, or run separate estimates for each vehicle class and compare results.
3. What should I enter for auxiliary load?
Use auxiliary load to model HVAC, PTO systems, onboard pumps, generators, lighting, refrigeration, or other powered equipment that increases fuel consumption.
4. Why include reserve fuel?
Reserve fuel protects the budget against rerouting, longer duty cycles, unexpected waiting, poor road access, weather exposure, or missed refueling opportunities.
5. Should I choose km/L, L/100 km, or MPG?
Choose the format used by your equipment manual, fleet software, or telematics reports. The calculator adjusts formulas based on that selection.
6. Does the graph affect the calculation?
No. The Plotly graph is only a visual summary of adjusted travel fuel, idle fuel, and reserve fuel after the calculation is complete.
7. Can this support project bidding or tender pricing?
Yes. It is useful for estimating mobilization budgets, field service travel costs, logistics support, and pre-job operating assumptions in proposals.
8. What are other fixed costs for?
Use them for tolls, permits, driver allowances, staging, consumables, access charges, or other route-linked costs not included in fuel price.