Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
To estimate the fuel cost of any trip in Nigeria, divide the distance by your vehicle’s fuel economy (km per litre) and multiply by the pump price. At the September 2026 NNPC Lagos price of ₦1,370 per litre, a car doing 10 km per litre costs about ₦137 per km in fuel, so a 100 km trip costs about ₦13,700. Add tolls, parking, the driver’s pay and a wear-and-tear allowance to get the full mileage cost.
A mileage cost calculator turns kilometres into naira. It helps you budget a road trip, price a delivery job, set a fair rate for a hired driver or compare driving with taking a bus. You don’t need special software: the formula is simple, and this guide gives you the numbers and a worksheet to do it yourself.
The mileage cost formula
- Litres needed = distance (km) ÷ fuel economy (km per litre)
- Fuel cost = litres needed × price per litre (₦)
- Fuel cost per km = price per litre ÷ km per litre
- Total trip cost = fuel cost + tolls + parking + driver + wear-and-tear allowance
If your car’s manual gives consumption in litres per 100 km, convert it: km per litre = 100 ÷ (litres per 100 km). For example, 8 litres per 100 km equals 12.5 km per litre.
Step 1: know today’s fuel price
Fuel is the biggest variable. These were the latest reported prices when we updated this guide:
| Location / seller | Petrol per litre (₦) |
|---|---|
| NNPC, Lagos | 1,370 |
| NNPC, Abuja | 1,405 |
| Other Abuja stations | 1,395 – 1,430 |
Source: Legit.ng, 28 September 2026. Prices change often and vary by state and station.
For diesel vehicles, use the diesel price at your station; see our diesel price guide.
Step 2: know your vehicle’s fuel economy
The best figure is your own: fill the tank, reset the trip meter, drive normally, then refill and divide the kilometres driven by the litres added. If you don’t have that, use a published estimate. These are figures for popular used SUVs from a July 2026 Nigerian buyer’s guide:
| Vehicle | Fuel economy (km/L) | Fuel cost per km at ₦1,370 (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 (4-cylinder) | 9 – 12 | 114 – 152 |
| Honda CR-V (2.4L) | 9 – 11.5 | 119 – 152 |
| Lexus RX 330/350 (city driving) | 5.5 – 7 | 196 – 249 |
Fuel economy: WheelZAR (23 July 2026). Cost per km is our calculation: ₦1,370 ÷ km per litre.
Real-world economy is usually worse in Lagos or Abuja traffic, with the air conditioning on, with a full load, or on bad roads. Add 10–20% to be safe if you are unsure.
Step 3: work out the trip
Example 1: a daily city commute
A 30 km round trip in a car doing 10 km per litre needs 3 litres. At ₦1,370 that is ₦4,110 a day, or about ₦90,420 for 22 working days.
Example 2: Lagos to Enugu
The road distance is about 520–600 km. Taking 560 km in a RAV4 at 10 km per litre needs 56 litres, or about ₦76,700 one way. In a Lexus RX at 6 km per litre, the same trip needs about 93 litres, or about ₦127,900. Compare that with a bus seat, which cost roughly ₦31,500–₦60,000 in 2026; see our Lagos to Enugu cost guide.
Example 3: pricing a delivery job
A van doing 8 km per litre on a 120 km round trip needs 15 litres, or ₦20,550 in fuel. Add the driver’s pay, tolls and a wear allowance, then your margin. Many operators work out a per-km rate this way and review it whenever fuel prices change.
The costs people forget
| Cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tolls and parking | Lekki toll gates, airport parking and some highways add up on regular trips |
| Driver’s pay and allowance | For hired drivers or long trips, include meals and overnight costs |
| Tyres and servicing | Every kilometre brings the next service and tyre change closer |
| Repairs and breakdowns | Rough roads raise suspension and alignment costs |
| Insurance and papers | Annual costs spread across the kilometres you drive |
| Idling in traffic | Burns fuel with zero kilometres gained |
Include a per-km allowance for these items based on your own records.
For the annual paperwork, see our car tax calculator guide. Keeping the car in good order also saves fuel: under-inflated tyres and poor wheel alignment raise consumption.
Mileage cost worksheet
Copy these lines into a note or spreadsheet and fill them in:
- Distance (km): ____
- Fuel economy (km/L): ____
- Litres needed (distance ÷ economy): ____
- Price per litre (₦): ____
- Fuel cost (litres × price): ____
- Tolls and parking (₦): ____
- Driver and allowances (₦): ____
- Wear and tear allowance (₦): ____
- Total trip cost (₦): ____
Rather not drive it yourself?
Book a bus seat, a driver or a van on Travo, and if you break down on the way, request a breakdown response.
How to cut your mileage cost
- Drive smoothly and keep to a steady speed; hard acceleration wastes fuel.
- Keep tyres at the recommended pressure and service the car on schedule.
- Plan routes to avoid peak traffic and combine errands.
- Remove unnecessary weight from the boot.
- For long solo trips, compare the fuel cost with a bus seat: one passenger in an SUV often pays more than the bus fare.
- For goods, a shared interstate parcel delivery can be cheaper than driving.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate fuel cost per km in Nigeria?
Divide the price per litre by your car’s km per litre. At ₦1,370 per litre and 10 km per litre, fuel costs ₦137 per km.
How much fuel does a car use per 100 km?
It depends on the car. A 4-cylinder SUV such as a RAV4 uses roughly 8–11 litres per 100 km; a V6 luxury SUV in town can use 14–18 litres.
How much is fuel for a Lagos to Enugu trip?
About ₦76,700 one way for a car doing 10 km per litre over 560 km at ₦1,370 per litre. Thirstier vehicles cost more.
What should a mileage rate include for a hired car?
Fuel, the driver’s pay and allowances, tolls, parking and a wear-and-tear allowance for tyres, servicing and repairs.
How do I find my car’s real fuel economy?
Fill the tank, reset the trip meter, drive normally, refill, then divide the kilometres driven by the litres added.
Does air conditioning increase fuel use?
Yes. AC, traffic, heavy loads and bad roads all reduce km per litre, so add a margin of 10–20%.
Related guides
Sources: Petrol prices via Legit.ng (28 Sept 2026); fuel economy from WheelZAR (23 July 2026); Lagos to Enugu distance and bus fares from AbujaMove (1 May 2026). Worked examples are our own calculations. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
