Fuel Cost Calculator — Fuel cost for a drive, commute or road trip in Japan from distance and km/L
Enter the distance, your car's fuel economy in km/L and the price per liter to get the fuel cost and liters needed, one way or round trip. Presets for kei cars, compacts, sedans, SUVs and hybrids, and for regular, high-octane and diesel prices in Japan.
Before a commute or road trip, see roughly what the fuel will cost.
Fuel Cost Calculator: tips and things to know
- Real-world fuel economy is usually about 70% of the catalogue figure.
- Running the air conditioner worsens fuel economy by roughly 10 to 15 percent.
- Under-inflated tyres cost about 2 to 4 percent in fuel economy.
How to use the Fuel Cost Calculator
Enter the distance
Type the distance in kilometers. Tick "round trip" to double it.
Set fuel economy and price
Pick a vehicle preset or type the km/L, then choose the fuel type or type the price per liter.
Read the result
The fuel cost, liters needed and cost per kilometer appear.
Fuel in Japan
Japanese pumps sell regular (レギュラー), high-octane (ハイオク) and diesel (軽油). Prices are per liter and posted tax-included; regular has hovered around ¥170 to 180 a liter in recent years, with high-octane about ¥10 more and diesel about ¥20 less. Prices differ by prefecture and by station, and self-service stations are cheaper.
Fuel economy in Japan is quoted in kilometers per liter (km/L), not liters per 100 km or miles per gallon. Kei cars and hybrids do best, typically 20 to 25 km/L in real use; a mid-size SUV manages around 10.
Do not forget the tolls
On a Japanese road trip the expressway tolls often cost more than the fuel: roughly ¥25 to 30 per kilometer for a standard car, so Tokyo to Osaka is about ¥11,000 each way. This tool covers fuel only; check toll costs separately with the NEXCO route search or a car navigation app.
Fuel Cost Calculator FAQ
How do I find my car's fuel economy?
The catalogue figure is in the manual or the vehicle inspection certificate; real-world economy is about 70% of it. You can also measure it: fill the tank, note the distance to the next fill-up and divide by the liters added.
Is fuel economy different on the expressway?
Usually better on the expressway, although above about 100 km/h air resistance pushes it down again. Around 60 to 80 km/h is the most efficient.
Can I use it for an electric car?
This calculator is for petrol and diesel cars. For an EV, use the electricity cost calculator with your car's km per kWh and your electricity rate.