Fleet and transport
Cheaper fuel detour break-even
Use dated EIA weekly fuel references with driving, measured consumption or generator costs →
Your inputs
Complete only the fields for your selected method. Use one consistent job or reporting period. Use zero for a known zero amount only when the field permits it. Missing costs and market rates are not added automatically. Currency selection labels amounts; it does not convert exchange rates.
How this calculation works
gross savings = gallons × (original price − alternative price); remaining savings = gross savings − extra miles × cost per mile − extra minutes × hourly cost / 60
Compare prices on the same tax and discount basis. Extra driving fuel is valued at the original pump price. Thresholds hold the other entered cost fixed. Use your own records for the same scope and period. Example figures are illustrative, not industry benchmarks. Results exclude income taxes and any cost you have not entered. Check the result before pricing work or committing resources.
What information do I need?
Use records for the same job, equipment or accounting period. Only the fields for your selected entry method are required. An unknown amount is not zero.
Input definitions and where to find them
- Gallons to purchase (gal): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Original price per gallon (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Alternative price per gallon (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Extra round-trip distance (mi): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Extra total time (minutes): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Fuel economy (mi/gal): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Nonfuel cost per extra mile (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Time cost per hour (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
Use the Where to find this value controls beside the inputs for available work-it-out helpers. Estimates remain your assumptions; a helper does not verify the source figures.
Worked example
Example amounts use US dollars (USD).
Example answer: Gross fuel savings is $6.00 for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- Gallons to purchase: 15.00 gal
- Original price per gallon: $4.00
- Alternative price per gallon: $3.60
- Extra round-trip distance: 5.00 mi
- Extra total time: 10.00 minutes
- Fuel economy: 25.00 mi/gal
- Nonfuel cost per extra mile: $0.10
- Time cost per hour: $15.00
- Gross fuel savings
- $6.00
- Net savings after extra trip costs
- $2.20
- Maximum extra round-trip distance at entered time
- 13.46 mi
- Maximum extra minutes at entered distance
- 18.80 minutes
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Inputs come from your own records and stated assumptions; no rates or legal limits are looked up.
Review the entered assumptions and calculator limits before using these results.