Lean
Cook and camp
Use actual campground fees, allow for gas or stove fuel, and do not assume free camping is legal, accessible or available.
A rough number beats a wild guess
Road-trip cost planner
Estimate the major costs of an Australian drive. Change any assumption and the total updates instantly.
Start with editable assumptions
Use today’s numbers, then add breathing room.
The calculator estimates fuel, accommodation, food and a single extras allowance. It works entirely in your browser and does not send or save the values you enter.
Build in breathing room
Three assumptions worth increasing
- Distance: add 10–15% for local drives, lookouts and wrong turns.
- Fuel: remote prices may be higher and headwinds or towing increase consumption.
- Extras: parking, park entry, laundry and the bakery you did not plan for all count.
How the estimate works
Every total comes from four transparent calculations.
CategoryCalculationUse a realistic input
FuelDistance × L/100 km × price per litreUse your vehicle’s observed touring consumption when possible, especially when towing or carrying roof loads.
AccommodationNights × average nightly costAverage the actual options you would book, including powered sites, weekend premiums and cleaning fees.
FoodTravellers × days × daily allowanceThe calculator treats days as nights plus one. Adjust for self-catering, children and travel-day meals.
ExtrasOne trip-wide allowanceInclude tolls, parking, park entry, tours, ferries, laundry and a modest contingency.
Example: 1,000 km at 8.5 L/100 km and $2.05/L produces an estimated fuel cost of $174.25. The displayed result rounds currency to the nearest dollar.
Find better inputs
Replace the examples before relying on the total.
- Map the complete distance: include travel from home, local sightseeing, food and fuel runs, and the return journey.
- Check fuel consumption: use recent trip-computer or fill-to-fill figures if available. Manufacturer figures are a baseline, not a promise for hills, wind, traffic or towing.
- Check fuel prices: use a current price service for the route and raise the assumption where stops are sparse.
- Price real accommodation: check the intended dates, cancellation terms, minimum stays, parking and compulsory fees.
- List known extras: add bookings and fixed charges first, then include an emergency or flexibility margin separately.
Comfort
Mix room types
Average motels, cabins and occasional longer stays. A kitchen or included breakfast may reduce another category.
Flexible
Pay for options
Refundable bookings and an extra night cost more upfront but can protect the itinerary when weather or fatigue changes the route.
Remote
Carry a larger margin
Allow for higher fuel and food prices, longer distances, limited availability and the cost of changing plans safely.
Costs the calculator excludes
Separate trip spending from vehicle ownership.
The result does not include flights, vehicle or camper hire, insurance, roadside assistance, servicing, tyres, depreciation or finance costs. Add hire charges and their kilometre, fuel, cleaning and one-way conditions separately. For a major journey, keep an emergency reserve outside the holiday spending total.
Useful references
Recheck prices close to departure.
Fuel, accommodation and entry fees change, so record when each assumption was checked. The calculator is an estimate, not financial advice or a quote from any operator.
Put the budget against a route