Towing Fuel Cost Calculator
Towing Fuel Cost Calculator. Use entered towing fuel economy. Enter your values and view the result.
Towing Fuel Cost Calculator
Use entered towing fuel economy.
Use the calculation engine below to model your exact costs with custom fuel prices, distances, and vehicle efficiencies:
Towing Fuel Cost Calculator: inputs
Adjust sliders or enter exact figures
Monthly Fuel Budget
Real-Time Visual Breakdown
Comparing your expense against alternative vehicle classes
Price Fluctuation Stress Test
See how unexpected gas price surges would impact your monthly budget
How Towing Fuel Cost Calculator Works
This tool works by applying a towing fuel economy figure, entered directly or as a percentage drop, to the towing distance.
- Step 1
Enter normal fuel economy
Type the MPG of the tow vehicle without a load.
- Step 2
Enter towing economy
Type the towing MPG from experience, or a percentage drop. Towing cuts economy by 10% to 50%.
- Step 3
Enter towing distance and price
Add the miles or kilometers with the trailer attached and the fuel price.
- Step 4
Read the towing cost
The calculator shows towing fuel cost and the extra cost compared with driving unloaded.
Towing Fuel Cost Calculator Formula
The formula prices the towing distance at the reduced towing MPG.
Towing MPG = Normal MPG × (1 − Towing Reduction %)
Towing Cost = (Towing Miles ÷ Towing MPG) × Price per Gallon
Extra Towing Cost = Towing Cost − (Towing Miles ÷ Normal MPG × Price)
- Towing Reduction %
- = drop in fuel economy with the trailer attached
- Towing Miles
- = distance driven with the trailer
Worked Example
- A pickup rated 20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) tows a 7,000-lb (3,175 kg) camper trailer 400 miles (644 km).
- Towing MPG = 20 × (1 − 0.40) = 12 MPG (19.6 L/100 km).
- Towing cost = (400 ÷ 12) × $3.60 = 33.3 gal × $3.60 = $120.00.
- Unloaded cost = (400 ÷ 20) × $3.60 = $72.00, so towing adds $48.00.
Towing Fuel Cost Calculator Conversion Table
The table converts towing reductions into towing MPG, L/100 km, and cost per 100 miles for a 20 MPG truck at $3.60 per gallon.
| Economy Drop | Towing MPG | Towing L/100 km | Cost / 100 mi | Extra / 100 mi | Extra / 100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 20.0 | 11.8 | $18.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 10% | 18.0 | 13.1 | $20.00 | $2.00 | $1.24 |
| 20% | 16.0 | 14.7 | $22.50 | $4.50 | $2.80 |
| 30% | 14.0 | 16.8 | $25.71 | $7.71 | $4.79 |
| 40% | 12.0 | 19.6 | $30.00 | $12.00 | $7.46 |
| 50% | 10.0 | 23.5 | $36.00 | $18.00 | $11.18 |
What is a Towing Fuel Cost Calculator?
A Towing Fuel Cost Calculator is a fuel planning tool that prices driving with a trailer using a reduced towing fuel economy.
Trailers add weight and aerodynamic drag. A boat, horse trailer, or camper cuts fuel economy by 10% to 50% depending on weight, frontal area, speed, and terrain. The Towing Fuel Cost Calculator uses the entered towing MPG instead of the tow vehicle’s normal rating.
The extra-cost figure shows exactly what the trailer adds to a trip, which helps owners compare towing with renting at the destination.
What are the uses of a Towing Fuel Cost Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Towing Fuel Cost Calculator, including camper trips, boat trips, and equipment hauling.
Budget camper trips
Price fuel for a travel trailer trip at towing MPG.
Plan boat outings
Add the towing cost of trailering a boat to the lake.
Price equipment hauling
Charge customers for fuel when hauling machinery or livestock.
Compare tow vehicles
See which truck tows the same trailer for less fuel.