Fuel is often one of the most overlooked—and underestimated—expenses on a road trip. Whether you’re headed across the state or across the country, budgeting for gas upfront can prevent unexpected costs, last-minute stops, and unnecessary stress. With the right tools and planning strategy, you can reduce fuel costs and make every mile more affordable.

Here’s how to build a road trip fuel budget that works—plus tips for saving along the way.

1. Calculate Your Route’s Total Distance

Start with a realistic estimate of how far you’re going. Use tools like Google Maps or Roadtrippers to calculate total mileage based on your planned route, including detours and scenic stops.

Once you have your estimated mileage, divide it by your vehicle’s average MPG (miles per gallon). This gives you the number of gallons you’ll need for the trip.

Example:
Trip distance: 1,200 miles
Vehicle MPG: 25
Fuel needed: 1,200 ÷ 25 = 48 gallons

2. Estimate Fuel Costs with Local Prices

Gas prices vary by region. Use apps like GasBuddy or AAA’s Fuel Price Finder to estimate the average per-gallon cost along your route. Plan conservatively by using higher-end price averages.

Tip: GasBuddy’s Trip Cost Calculator can estimate total cost based on your route, car model, and local prices.

3. Budget Based on Stop Frequency

Most road trippers fill up every 250–350 miles. Knowing how often you’ll stop helps allocate funds per leg of the trip. You can also plan stops at stations with known discounts or loyalty programs.

Use stations with loyalty programs like:

• Shell Fuel Rewards
• BPme Rewards
• Exxon Mobil Rewards+

Register in advance to earn points or cents-off per gallon along the way.

4. Pay Smarter With Prepaid Gift Cards

Instead of using a debit or credit card at each stop, consider buying fuel-specific virtual cards before you go. You can earn cashback with a Shell virtual card or get rewards with a BP virtual card when purchasing through Fluz. These cards allow you to set a fixed gas budget while earning cashback instantly.

Benefits include:

• Pre-setting your fuel budget
  
• Earning cashback on every fuel purchase
  
• Stacking with station loyalty programs
  

5. Build In a Fuel Buffer

Always add 10–15% to your gas budget to account for unexpected traffic, detours, or remote-area fill-ups where prices may spike. That buffer can be the difference between a smooth ride and last-minute ATM trips.

6. Use Apps to Find the Best Stations on the Road

Even with a budget in place, prices can shift quickly depending on the region. Download apps that help you stay ahead:

• GasBuddy: Real-time price tracking and trip cost estimation
  
• Upside: Cashback at participating stations
  
• AAA Mobile App: Fuel price lookup and discounts for members
  

7. Track Your Spending as You Go

Use a basic spreadsheet or expense tracking app like Drivvo or Everlance to log fuel stops. This helps you stay within budget and evaluate your vehicle’s fuel efficiency throughout the trip.

Final Thoughts

Road trips should be about the journey, not the stress of rising fuel costs. With mileage planning, real-time tracking, and cashback stacking—whether you get rewards with a BP virtual card or use loyalty perks at Shell—you can hit the road with confidence and stay well within budget.