Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
To estimate your petrol cost in Nigeria, use this formula: fuel cost = (distance in km ÷ your car’s km per litre) × pump price per litre. At the NNPC Lagos price of ₦1,385 per litre (24 September 2026), a car that does 10 km per litre spends about ₦13,850 per 100 km. A one-way Lagos to Ibadan drive of about 130 km therefore costs roughly ₦18,000 in petrol.
Petrol has become one of the biggest costs of any Nigerian road trip. The national average was about ₦819.5 per litre in early February 2026, according to GlobalPetrolPrices. By late September, NNPC stations were selling at between about ₦1,385 and ₦1,456 depending on the state. That swing makes last year’s rules of thumb useless. This guide gives you the formula, current prices by state, ready-made tables and worked examples, so you can budget for a trip before you set off.
The petrol calculator formula
You need three numbers:
- Distance (km). Take it from Google Maps, or use the route distances below. Double it for a return trip.
- Fuel efficiency (km per litre). This is how far your car goes on one litre. If you know litres per 100 km, divide 100 by that figure to convert.
- Pump price (₦ per litre) in the state where you will buy fuel.
Litres needed = distance ÷ km per litre
Fuel cost = litres needed × price per litre
Add 10 to 20% for traffic, idling with the AC on and detours. Lagos go-slow can cut real-world efficiency sharply.
Petrol prices in Nigeria today (NNPC, September 2026)
| State / city | NNPC price per litre |
|---|---|
| Lagos | ₦1,385 |
| Ogun, Rivers, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River | ₦1,390 |
| Ondo, Osun | ₦1,397 |
| Delta, Ebonyi | ₦1,400 |
| Abia, Kaduna, Katsina | ₦1,410 |
| Bauchi, Kogi | ₦1,420 |
| Abuja (FCT), Sokoto | ₦1,430 |
| Zamfara | ₦1,439 |
| Taraba, Adamawa | ₦1,445 – ₦1,447 |
| Borno, Yobe | ₦1,452 – ₦1,456 |
Source: Legit.ng, NNPC pump prices by state, 24 September 2026. Legit.ng has since reported an NNPC price cut, so check your local station. Independent marketers can be cheaper or dearer. The same report put Dangote’s ex-gantry price at ₦1,325 per litre after a ₦25 cut.
Quick table: petrol cost per 100 km (Lagos price)
| Your car’s efficiency | Litres per 100 km | Cost per 100 km at ₦1,385 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 km/L (large SUV, heavy traffic) | 16.7 L | ≈ ₦23,080 |
| 8 km/L | 12.5 L | ≈ ₦17,310 |
| 10 km/L | 10 L | ₦13,850 |
| 12 km/L | 8.3 L | ≈ ₦11,540 |
| 15 km/L (small car, open road) | 6.7 L | ≈ ₦9,230 |
Calculated by Travo from the Lagos NNPC price. The efficiency bands are illustrative, not figures for any particular model. Measure your own car using the method below.
Worked examples for popular routes
| Trip (one way) | Distance | At 8 km/L | At 10 km/L | At 12 km/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajah → Ikeja (Lagos price) | ≈ 40 km | ≈ ₦6,925 | ₦5,540 | ≈ ₦4,620 |
| Lagos → Ibadan (Lagos price) | ≈ 130 km | ≈ ₦22,510 | ≈ ₦18,000 | ≈ ₦15,000 |
| Abuja → Kaduna (Abuja price ₦1,430) | ≈ 188.6 km | ≈ ₦33,710 | ≈ ₦26,970 | ≈ ₦22,470 |
Distances: Ajah–Ikeja 35–45 km and Lagos–Ibadan about 130 km from Travo.ng route guides; Abuja–Kaduna 188.6 km from Faster.ng. Prices from Legit.ng, 24 September 2026.
Step by step for Lagos → Ibadan at 10 km/L: 130 ÷ 10 = 13 litres, and 13 × ₦1,385 = ₦18,005. A return trip is about ₦36,000 before the traffic allowance.
How to measure your car’s real fuel efficiency
- Fill the tank to the automatic cut-off and reset your trip meter to zero.
- Drive normally until the tank is at least half empty.
- Fill up again to the cut-off at the same station if possible, and note the litres added.
- Divide the kilometres on the trip meter by the litres added. That is your km per litre.
Repeat once for city driving and once for highway driving. Many cars give very different figures in Lagos traffic and on an open expressway.
Ways to cut your fuel bill
- Keep tyres at the recommended pressure and service the car on schedule.
- Travel early to avoid long idling in traffic.
- Remove unnecessary weight and roof loads.
- Drive smoothly at steady highway speeds.
- Compare NNPC and independent station prices on the same route before you fill up.
- For some trips a bus seat or train ticket is simply cheaper. The Lagos–Ibadan train’s regular fare is ₦3,600 (NRC), for example. See our Lagos to Ibadan train guide.
Driving vs booking: a quick comparison
For one person, public transport usually beats driving on fuel alone. For a family of four sharing one car, driving can work out cheaper per head, but add tolls, wear and tear, and the driver’s fatigue. If you don’t want to drive, Travo can arrange a car or driver on demand or an interstate bus seat. Fleet owners can also look at vehicle investment options.
Running a generator or a business fleet? Travo also delivers fuel, gas and water through its city services. See our diesel price guide for diesel-powered vehicles.
Need fuel delivered or a driver for the trip?
Order fuel, gas or water delivery, or message us to book a driver or bus seat instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate petrol cost for a trip in Nigeria?
Divide the distance in km by your car’s km per litre to get litres, then multiply by the pump price. For example, 130 km ÷ 10 km/L = 13 L, and 13 × ₦1,385 = ₦18,005.
What is the price of petrol in Nigeria today?
On 24 September 2026, NNPC stations sold petrol at ₦1,385 per litre in Lagos and ₦1,430 in Abuja, with a range of about ₦1,385 to ₦1,456 across states. NNPC has since announced a cut, so check your local station.
How many litres does a car use per 100 km?
It depends on the car, engine size and driving conditions. Measure your own car with the full-tank method above. Traffic can push consumption far above highway figures.
How much fuel from Lagos to Ibadan?
About 13 litres one way for a car doing 10 km per litre over roughly 130 km, which is about ₦18,000 at the Lagos NNPC price.
Which state has the most expensive petrol?
In NNPC’s list of 24 September 2026, Yobe was highest at ₦1,456 per litre, followed by Borno at ₦1,452. Lagos was the lowest of the states listed, at ₦1,385.
Is it cheaper to drive or take the bus?
For solo travellers, the bus or train is usually cheaper than petrol alone. For groups sharing a car, driving can be competitive once the cost is split.
Related guides
- Fuel price in Abuja today
- Diesel price in Nigeria and logistics
- Lagos to Abuja by road in naira
- Abuja to Kaduna travel guide
Sources: Legit.ng NNPC prices (24 September 2026); GlobalPetrolPrices (9 February 2026); NRC fares; Faster.ng; Travo.ng route guides. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
