Chicago to Los Angeles Fuel Cost
Driving distance and fuel cost for a trip from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA: 2,018.1 miles (3,247.9 km) one way. Use the calculator below with your own vehicle and fuel price.
Calculator Parameters
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Enter total travelers to split gas cost fairly.
Your Calculation Results
Average Consumption (5.5 - 8.5 L/100km)- Total Fuel Needed (for this trip)
- 67.27 US gallons (254.6 liters total)
- Total Fuel Cost (for this trip)
- $100.91
- Cost breakdown per distance unit
- $0.050 per mile • $0.031 per km
Fuel economy in every unit
- L/100km
- 7.8
- MPG US
- 30.0
- MPG UK
- 36.0
- km/L
- 12.8
Cost by vehicle type
One way trip cost at $1.50 per US gallon (placeholder price), using one representative vehicle from each category in the 30 vehicle dataset tracked on this site.
| Category | Vehicle | Combined | Fuel needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Hyundai Elantra | 34 MPG | 59.4 US gallons | $89.03 |
| Midsize Sedan | Nissan Altima | 31 MPG | 65.1 US gallons | $97.65 |
| Compact SUV | Toyota RAV4 | 30 MPG | 67.3 US gallons | $100.91 |
| Midsize SUV | Chevrolet Traverse | 23 MPG | 87.7 US gallons | $131.62 |
| Truck | Ford F-150 | 21 MPG | 96.1 US gallons | $144.15 |
| Hybrid | Honda CR-V Hybrid | 40 MPG | 50.5 US gallons | $75.68 |
| Electric | Tesla Model Y | 120 MPGe | 16.8 US gallons | $25.23 |
About this route & highway corridor
At 2,018.1 miles (3,247.9 km) and approximately 35.4 hours of continuous driving via Historic Route 66 corridor via I-55 South to I-44 West and I-40 West, Chicago to Los Angeles is an extensive multi-state road trip best split across multiple driving days. Sustained high-speed interstate cruising and varied elevation changes will influence overall fuel economy.
Leaving Chicago westbound, fuel prices drop quickly once outside Cook County and Illinois. Texas panhandle (Amarillo), Oklahoma, and New Mexico offer competitive fuel prices before reaching the expensive California border. This route traverses Prairie rolling plains, Ozark plateau, high desert plateaus in New Mexico and Arizona, and Mojave Desert.. Toll considerations: Occasional turnpike tolls in Oklahoma (Will Rogers and Turner Turnpikes).
This trip crosses state lines from IL into CA. Fuel taxes and wholesale supply costs can shift pump prices by 40 to 80 cents per gallon between states. Comparing regional fuel price benchmarks before departure allows you to plan your major fill-ups where prices are lowest. Refuel in Amarillo, Texas or Albuquerque, New Mexico for the lowest pump prices along the I-40 route.
Covering 2,018 miles, most passenger vehicles will require approximately 5 fuel stops, assuming a standard 300 to 400 mile driving range between fill-ups. Trucks towing trailers or vehicles with smaller fuel tanks may require additional stops.
For long-distance routes like Chicago to Los Angeles, plan driving stints in 3 to 4 hour blocks (200 to 250 miles) to align fuel stops with meal breaks and driver rest. Avoiding aggressive acceleration when merging onto the interstate helps preserve fuel range on multi-day itineraries.
Distance and driving time source: OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoding and OSRM driving routing. Last updated July 24, 2026.
Gas Prices & Fuel Planning for Chicago to Los Angeles
Fuel prices vary along this driving corridor. Check current average fuel benchmarks at both ends of your trip to plan the most economical fill-ups:
Specialized Fuel Calculators for This Trip
Reverse route
Los Angeles to Chicago Trip CostFrequently asked questions
The standard highway driving route from Chicago to Los Angeles covers 2,018.1 miles (3,247.9 km) and takes approximately 35.4 hours in typical traffic conditions, traveling primarily via Historic Route 66 corridor via I-55 South to I-44 West and I-40 West.
Divide the trip distance of 2,018.1 miles by your car's combined MPG rating to find the gallons of fuel required, then multiply by the average pump price along your route. For example, a 30 MPG vehicle will burn roughly 67.3 gallons of fuel.
Occasional turnpike tolls in Oklahoma (Will Rogers and Turner Turnpikes). Terrain notes: Prairie rolling plains, Ozark plateau, high desert plateaus in New Mexico and Arizona, and Mojave Desert..
Refuel in Amarillo, Texas or Albuquerque, New Mexico for the lowest pump prices along the I-40 route.
Covering 2,018 miles, most passenger vehicles will require approximately 5 fuel stops, assuming a standard 300 to 400 mile driving range between fill-ups. Trucks towing trailers or vehicles with smaller fuel tanks may require additional stops.
The physical road distance is identical in both directions. However, fuel costs may vary depending on where you purchase gas, as state fuel tax rates and prevailing winds (such as headwinds when driving west) can slightly influence consumption and spending.