Carpooling Calculator
Work out how much everyone should contribute to a shared trip by combining fuel economy, fuel price, tolls, and parking fees.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the total distance
Include both outbound and return legs when entering miles so expenses are divided correctly.
Add fuel economy and fuel price
Use your vehicle's average mpg and today's pump price to estimate the fuel spend.
Include tolls, parking, or snacks
Add any shared expenses so everyone contributes fairly.
Divide by the number of people
Enter how many riders are paying into the trip to see individual contributions.
Formula
Total Cost = (Distance ÷ MPG × Fuel Price) + Other Costs
Cost per Person: Total Cost ÷ Number of Riders
Example with 60 miles, 28 mpg, $3.75/gal fuel, $8 tolls, and 3 riders:
Fuel used = 60 ÷ 28 = 2.14 gal → Fuel cost = 2.14 × 3.75 = $8.03
Total cost = $8.03 + $8.00 = $16.03 → Per person = $16.03 ÷ 3 = $5.34
About the Carpooling Calculator
Splitting driving expenses keeps carpools fair and sustainable. This calculator combines vehicle fuel economy, real-world fuel pricing, and out-of-pocket expenses to show the cost for each passenger.
When to Use This Calculator
- Daily commuting: Divide weekday fuel costs among coworkers.
- Road trips: Estimate each friend's share before leaving town.
- School runs: Split fuel and parking fees with other parents.
- Event carpools: Plan ride-share costs for concerts and sporting events.
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Transparency: Align expectations before anyone fills the tank.
- ✅ Flexible inputs: Adjust for fluctuating gas prices and extra stops.
- ✅ Mobile friendly: Calculate contributions in seconds from your phone.
- ✅ Shareable: Screenshot or message the results to the whole crew.
Common Applications
Business travel: Reimburse colleagues accurately for shared driving.
College trips: Keep weekend adventures affordable for everyone.
Family outings: Track costs when siblings rotate driving duties.
Tips for Best Results
- Recalculate when fuel prices change significantly.
- Consider maintenance contributions if one person supplies the car every time.
- Set expectations for late cancellations or no-shows.
- Pair with a mileage tracker if you plan to split recurring monthly costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should we split costs equally or by miles driven?
Most carpools divide costs equally when everyone travels the same distance. If riders join or leave partway, calculate contributions based on the miles each person actually rides.
Can I include maintenance or depreciation?
Yes. Add a maintenance allowance to “Other Costs” if you want to compensate the primary driver for wear-and-tear, oil changes, or insurance.
How often should we update fuel price?
Update the calculator whenever fuel prices move more than a few cents. Using the latest price keeps contributions fair and prevents surprises.
What if someone backs out at the last minute?
Agree on a cancellation policy in advance. You can recalculate the trip with fewer riders or ask the absent person to cover their share if costs were already incurred.