Question 1

When is a detour worth it?

Accepted Answer

When the savings on a full tank exceed the cost of the extra fuel burned by driving there and back. The calculator does this maths for you.

Question 2

How do you estimate detour time?

Accepted Answer

We assume an average urban+rural speed of around 50 km/h, so each km of detour adds roughly 1.2 minutes round trip.

Question 3

Does the calculator include tolls or wear?

Accepted Answer

No, only the cost of the extra fuel. Add tolls or estimated wear manually if relevant for your route.

Question 4

What is the break-even distance?

Accepted Answer

It's the maximum extra one-way distance where the savings still equal the extra fuel cost. Beyond that, the cheaper station costs you money.

Detour calculator