Fuel Cost Calculator Germany 🇩🇪
Planning a German road trip or heading to the Autobahn? Fuel Smarter calculates the exact fuel cost of any journey in Germany based on your car's real-world fuel economy, current German pump prices, and your driving speed. Germany's famous Autobahn means speed has an even bigger impact on fuel costs than on UK motorways — our calculator shows you exactly what each speed scenario costs in euros.
Autobahn users: Germany is one of the few countries where our calculator sets no upper speed limit on motorway sections — you can slide the motorway speed up to reflect your actual Autobahn speed and see the real fuel cost impact.
Current German fuel prices — May 2026
Germany is slightly cheaper than the UK for petrol and significantly cheaper for diesel — diesel is currently around 44p per litre cheaper in Germany than the UK. Unlike France, Germany has no tolls on its Autobahn network for private cars — making it one of the most cost-effective European countries to drive through.
German speed limits
| Road type | Speed limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autobahn — unrestricted sections | No limit (advisory 130 km/h) | ~70% of the network |
| Autobahn — restricted sections | 120-130 km/h | Permanent or variable signs |
| Bundesstraße (A-roads) | 100 km/h | Outside built-up areas |
| Urban areas | 50 km/h | Standard town/city limit |
| 30 zones (Tempo 30) | 30 km/h | Common in residential areas |
How speed affects your fuel cost on the Autobahn
The freedom of unrestricted Autobahn sections comes with a real fuel cost. Here's what driving faster actually costs on a typical 500km German journey in a 40 MPG car:
| Speed | Fuel cost (500km) | Journey time | vs 130 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 km/h | ~€32 | 4h 33m | €3 cheaper |
| 130 km/h | ~€35 | 3h 51m | — |
| 150 km/h | ~€39 | 3h 20m | €4 more |
| 180 km/h | ~€45 | 2h 47m | €10 more |
| 200 km/h | ~€50 | 2h 30m | €15 more |
How much does a typical German road trip cost?
Based on €1.75/litre Super 95 and a 40 MPG car at 130 km/h. Unlike France there are no tolls for private cars on German motorways.
| Journey | Distance | Petrol cost | Diesel cost | Tolls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg to Munich | 780 km | ~€95 | ~€92 | Free |
| Frankfurt to Berlin | 550 km | ~€67 | ~€65 | Free |
| Cologne to Munich | 600 km | ~€73 | ~€71 | Free |
| Berlin to Hamburg | 290 km | ~€35 | ~€34 | Free |
| Munich to Frankfurt | 395 km | ~€48 | ~€47 | Free |
| Calais to Munich (via Belgium/Germany) | ~1,050 km | ~€128 | ~€124 | Belgium toll only (~€5) |
Tips for UK drivers in Germany
🚗 Keep right except to overtake. This is strictly enforced in Germany. Undertaking (passing on the right) is illegal and dangerous — very different to UK motorway habits.
⛽ Fill up away from Autobahn service stations. Fuel at Autobahn Raststätten is 8-15 cents per litre more expensive than at town filling stations. Plan stops accordingly.
🔍 Watch your mirrors constantly. On unrestricted sections cars can approach at 200+ km/h. Always check before moving lanes.
📋 Carry essential documents. UK licence, V5C, insurance certificate, GB sticker, warning triangle, and hi-vis vest are all required.
💶 No motorway tolls for cars. Unlike France, Germany charges no tolls for private cars on the Autobahn — only HGVs pay. A major advantage for road trippers.
Germany vs UK — fuel cost comparison
| Germany (May 2026) | UK (May 2026) | Saving in Germany | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | €1.75/L (~149p) | 156.8p/L | ~8p/litre cheaper |
| Diesel | €1.70/L (~145p) | 188.8p/L | ~44p/litre cheaper |
| Motorway tolls | Free (cars) | Free | — |