How to Calculate Fuel Cost for a Trip in the UAE
Making a journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, or perhaps traveling from Dubai to Fujairah for the weekend or travelling between Sharjah and Dubai every day? If you know before you start the trip just how much you’ll need to spend on fuel you won’t be surprised by costs during the journey.
Calculating this fuel cost for a trip in the UAE requires these 3 things: The total driving distance, fuel consumption of your vehicle, and the latest price of petrol or diesel in the UAE, per litre.
The quickest option is to use the UAE Fuel Cost Calculator. Calculate, or estimate, how much fuel may be needed and the cost, in AED, of your journey by entering the distance you travelled, the fuel consumed, and fuel type.
Make the calculation by yourself? Here is the formula that you can use to approximate one-way journeys, return and multiple trips, with examples.
The formula
- Fuel needed (litres) = distance (km) × consumption (L/100 km) ÷ 100
- Fuel cost (AED) = fuel needed × price per litre
- Cost per km (AED) = price per litre × consumption ÷ 100
If your car shows consumption in km per litre, convert it first: L/100 km = 100 ÷ km/L. For example, 12.5 km/L equals 8 L/100 km.
Worked example: Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Dubai to Abu Dhabi is roughly 140 km each way. In a sedan using 8 L/100 km, the trip needs 140 × 8 ÷ 100 = 11.2 litres. A round trip of 280 km needs 22.4 litres. Multiply by the Special 95 price (AED 4.28) to get the cost.
Try it yourself: the calculator below is pre-filled with this month’s prices.
How this is calculated
Fuel needed (L) = distance (km) × consumption (L/100 km) ÷ 100
Fuel cost (AED) = fuel needed × price per litre
Cost per km (AED) = price per litre × consumption ÷ 100
km/L is converted with L/100 km = 100 ÷ km/L. Prices are the official October 2026 retail prices including VAT. Results are estimates; real consumption depends on traffic, speed, air conditioning and load.
Typical distances from Dubai
- Sharjah: about 30 km
- Ras Al Khaimah: about 105 km
- Fujairah: about 125 km
- Al Ain: about 130 km
- Abu Dhabi: about 140 km
- Muscat (Oman): about 450 km
Distances vary by start point and route; use your map app for the exact figure.
How to Calculate Fuel Cost for a Trip in the UAE: Step by Step
Follow these five steps to estimate your journey’s fuel expenses.
Step 1: Calculate the Total Driving Distance
Check the road distance from the actual starting point to the destination using a navigation app. The distance between two city centres can vary from the distance between your home, work, hotel or destination.
If you are travelling back in time, add both ways. If you are going to several locations, include distance traveled to each location.
For example:
- Outbound journey: 140 km
- Return journey: 140 km
- Additional driving for stops: 20 km
- Total distance: 300 km
Using the complete driving distance produces a more useful estimate than calculating only the distance to your main destination.
Step 2: Find Your Vehicle’s Fuel Consumption
Your car economy indicates how much fuel your car uses to travel a specific distance.
Your trip computer, owner’s manual and/or specifications in your dashboard will have this information. To get the most accurate estimate, figure the average consumption of your car under similar conditions as you anticipate on your trip.
For an 8 litre/100km petrol consumption car, this amounts to about ‘8 litres per 100km on the road’.
Remember the amount of gasoline your car uses may depend on the road you’re on, how fast you’re driving, how much air conditioning your car need, and if your car is carrying full load or not.
Step 3: Check the Current UAE Fuel Price
Petrol and diesel price in the UAE are announced every month by the Fuel Price Committee. Do not use a rate from last time of travel; base on the date you plan on travelling.
The official prices for October 2026 are:
| Fuel type | Price per litre |
|---|---|
| E-Plus 91 | AED 4.21 |
| Special 95 | AED 4.28 |
| Super 98 | AED 4.40 |
| Diesel | AED 4.80 |
These rates apply to October 2026 and should be updated when the next month’s prices take effect. You can also check our latest UAE petrol prices before planning your trip.
Use the grade of fuel specified for the vehicle. When a lower octane fuel grade might run in a car, a higher octane petrol doesn’t necessarily mean a better fuel economy.
Step 4: Calculate How Many Litres You Need
Now if you travelled 300 km with your car that uses 8 litres of fuel for every 100 km, how many litres of fuel does your car use for its journey?
Use the formula:
300 × 8 ÷ 100 = 24 litres
You will need approximately 24 litres of fuel under these assumptions.
Step 5: Calculate Your Estimated Fuel Cost
Now multiply the required fuel by the price per litre.
If you use Special 95 at AED 4.28 per litre:
24 × AED 4.28 = AED 102.72
Your estimated fuel cost for the 300 km journey is AED 102.72.
This estimate covers fuel only. Tolls, parking, meals, and other travel expenses should be budgeted separately.
For a faster result, use our UAE Fuel Cost Calculator instead of calculating each step manually.
Example: Dubai to Abu Dhabi Fuel Cost
Let’s calculate the estimated fuel expense for a hypothetical journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
Assume the following:
| Trip detail | Example value |
|---|---|
| One-way distance | 140 km |
| Return distance | 280 km |
| Fuel consumption | 8 L/100 km |
| Special 95 price | AED 4.28/L |
These are illustrative inputs. Your actual route distance will depend on your starting point, destination and route.
One-way fuel requirement:
140 × 8 ÷ 100 = 11.2 litres
One-way fuel cost:
11.2 × AED 4.28 = AED 47.94
Return-trip fuel requirement:
280 × 8 ÷ 100 = 22.4 litres
Return-trip fuel cost:
22.4 × AED 4.28 = AED 95.87
Your estimated return-trip fuel expense is AED 95.87, excluding tolls and other costs. If traffic or detours increase your distance or consumption, your actual expense may be higher.
Finding your real fuel consumption
- Check the trip computer’s average consumption reading.
- Fill the tank, reset the trip meter, then drive normally; then fill the tank again: litres added / km driven x 100 = L/100 km.
- Air-conditioning will be used more frequently in town traffic with 100% heat; or when travelling fast on the motorway; or a fully laden car.
Splitting the cost
If using car-pooling, break up the cost of the round trip in terms of fuel costs. Don’t forget that tolls/Salik in Dubai, Darb in Abu Dhabi, and parking are additional costs.
What Affects Your Actual Fuel Cost in the UAE?
A fuel-cost calculator is used to estimate fuel costs using data inputs in the estimation process. Several factors mean that your real usage of these could be different.
- Often left idle and idling: Excessive idling can be a problem.
- Air-conditioning: When used, the air-conditioning system impacts on the consumption of the vehicle, depending on the type of vehicle and conditions.
- Aerodynamic resistance: Higher speed may result in higher aerodynamic resistance.
- Tyre pressure: Tire pressure can have an impact on rolling resistance and efficiency.
- Unnecessary weight: Avoid excessive weight in the vehicle as this may affect fuel usage.
- Route changes: Detours, roadworks and additional stops add to the distance traveled.
To get as close an estimate as possible, include a realistic average real-life fuel usage rate, rather than just its best advertised figure.
For more practical advice, read our guide to reducing fuel consumption in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula to calculate fuel cost of a journey in UAE?
Multiply the performance of your vehicle (L/100 km) by the total distance (km), and then divide by 100. Then multiply by the price of the fuel (in AED per litre) at the time.
What is the total cost of the journey for fuel if it takes 100 km distance?
The fuel cost is estimated to be AED 25.68 for 6 litres per 100 km fuel consumption, with the fuel price being AED 4.28/L when Special 95 fuel is used. Depending on the consumption of your car and the current price of the fuel, the actual costs vary.
What would be an appropriate amount of fuel for a 200 km journey?
If a car has a consumption of 8 L/100 km, then it will consume about 16 litres for 200 km; the cost of that will be AED 68.48 at AED 4.28 per litre.
What is the method to work out fuel cost per km?
Raise the fuel price per litre and multiply by the vehicle’s usage (L/100km), then divide by 100. With the assumptions of fuel cost at AED 4,28 per litre and 8 litres/ 100 km, the estimated fuel cost will be AED 0,3424 per kilometre.
Are Salik tolls and parking fees included in the fuel cost calculator?
A fuel-only calculator is used to calculate petrol/diesel costs. Unless the calculator explicitly adds in the tolls, parking fees, etc., these will not be included in any Salik charges.
Final Thought
If you’re embarking on a long journey, a family trip, or a daily journey, knowing what you think you’re going to spend on fuel makes life easier when it comes to budgeting your trip.
Use the UAE Fuel Cost Calculator to calculate the fuel needed for your trip. You can enter the total distance, fuel consumption and petrol or diesel price to get an estimate of its cost in AED.
