Flight Time & Fuel Cost Calculator

Estimate flight time, fuel burn, and fuel cost for a trip based on distance, airspeed, wind, and fuel price. Includes round-trip estimates.

Distance

True Airspeed (TAS)

Headwind (+) / Tailwind (−)

Fuel Burn Rate

gal/hr

C172: 8–10 gal/hr, C182: 12–14 gal/hr, Turboprop: 40–60 gal/hr

Fuel Price

$/gal

Avgas: $5–$8/gal, Jet-A: $4–$7/gal

Tab to move between fields

Flight Time

125 min

Fuel Used

20.8 gal

≈ 4 buckets

Fuel Cost

$135.42

≈ 9 movie tickets

Ground Speed120 kt

Fuel Weight125 lb

Cost Per NM$0.54

Round Trip Fuel41.7 gal

Round Trip Cost$270.83

Round Trip Time250 min

How to Use This Calculator

How the result changes with Distance

Distance	Flight Time	Fuel Used	Fuel Cost
50	25 min	4.2 gal	$27.08
300	171 min	28.6 gal	$185.71
500	207 min	34.5 gal	$224.14

Distance: One-way distance in nautical miles.
True Airspeed (TAS): Expected true airspeed at cruise altitude.
Headwind (+) / Tailwind (−): Positive = headwind (slows you), Negative = tailwind (speeds you up).
Fuel Burn Rate: Cruise fuel consumption from POH.
Fuel Price: Current price per gallon of avgas or Jet-A.
Fuel Type: Fuel type affects weight calculations.

Ground Speed
GS = TAS − Headwind (or + Tailwind)
120 − (0) = 120 kt
Flight Time
Time = Distance ÷ Ground Speed
250 NM ÷ 120 kt = 125 min (2.08 hr)
Fuel Used
Fuel = Flight Time × Burn Rate
2.08 hr × 10 gal/hr = 20.8 gal (125 lb)
Fuel Cost
Cost = Fuel Used × Price Per Gallon
20.8 × $6.50 = $135.42
Round Trip
Return at GS with opposite wind, then total both legs
Outbound: 125 min, Return: 125 min = 41.7 gal, $270.83, 250 min