Towing Fuel Consumption Calculator

Calculate trip gas expenses and fuel penalties when towing campers, travel trailers, boats, or enclosed haulers.

Calculator Parameters

Distance unit
Fuel economy unit
$per US gallon

This is an estimated default price. Automatic price detection only applies to visitors in the United States. Everyone else can select their own currency and enter a local price below for an accurate result.

Currency

Enter total travelers to split gas cost fairly.

Trip type
Timeframe

Your Calculation Results

High Consumption (> 8.5 L/100km)
Total Fuel Needed (for this trip)
5.65 US gallons
(21.4 liters total)
Total Fuel Cost (for this trip)
$8.47
Cost breakdown per distance unit
$0.136 per mile • $0.085 per km
Total Distance (for this trip)
100.0 kilometers

Fuel economy in every unit

L/100km
21.4
MPG US
11.0
MPG UK
13.2
km/L
4.7
Featured Snippet Reference

Towing Fuel Economy & Drag Penalty Formula

Engineering formula accounting for aerodynamic frontal area drag and heavy trailer mass on vehicle fuel consumption.

Towing Fuel Cost = [Trip Distance ÷ (Solo Highway MPG × Towing Efficiency Factor)] × Fuel Price
Utility Trailer (-20%)[300 mi ÷ (22 MPG × 0.80)] × $3.50$59.66 total gas cost
Boat Trailer (-36%)[300 mi ÷ (22 MPG × 0.64)] × $3.50$74.57 total gas cost
Travel Trailer RV (-55%)[300 mi ÷ (22 MPG × 0.45)] × $3.50$106.06 total gas cost

Understanding Towing Fuel Penalties

Towing dramatically alters vehicle fuel economy. A truck or SUV that normally gets 22 MPG on the highway will drop to 10–12 MPG when pulling a heavy travel trailer due to weight and wind resistance.

Trailer TypeSolo Truck MPGTowing MPGFuel Consumption Increase
Small Utility Trailer (1,500 lbs)22 MPG18 MPG+22% Extra Fuel
Single-Axle Boat Trailer (3,500 lbs)22 MPG14 MPG+57% Extra Fuel
Travel Trailer RV (7,000 lbs, 10ft high)22 MPG10 MPG+120% Extra Fuel

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Frequently asked questions

Towing a travel trailer, camper, or boat reduces vehicle fuel economy by 30% to 50% due to added weight and severe aerodynamic drag.

Above 45 mph, wind resistance against a tall travel trailer front wall accounts for over 70% of total engine load. Weight affects acceleration, but frontal surface area dominates highway fuel consumption.

Maintain speeds between 55 and 62 mph, use Tow/Haul mode to prevent transmission gear hunting, inflate truck and trailer tires to maximum cold PSI, and install a wind deflector.