Latest fuel prices in New Zealand
| Fuel | Price per litre | 1,000 km at 12 L/100 km |
|---|---|---|
| Regular 91 petrol | NZ$3.61 | NZ$433.20 |
| Premium 95 petrol | NZ$3.81 | NZ$457.20 |
| Diesel | NZ$3.24 | NZ$388.80 plus NZ$76 RUC |
How it's calculated
Litres = distance (km) × consumption (L/100 km) ÷ 100Cost = litres × price per litre (NZD)
Consumption is quoted per 100 kilometres, so dividing by 100 turns it into litres per kilometre. The sum is linear: double the distance and both the litres and the cost double.
Worked example
A 1,000 km route in a campervan using 12 L/100 km needs 120 litres of fuel. At NZ$3.61 a litre, that is NZ$433.20.
Assumptions
- The default price is a national benchmark. Remote stations, including on the West Coast and in Fiordland, often charge more, so fill up before long gaps between towns.
- Use the loaded consumption of the vehicle you are actually driving. A full campervan on hills and into a headwind uses more than its brochure figure.
- Add the local driving around each stop. Supermarket runs, viewpoints and side roads add up over a long route.
- Diesel vehicles pay road user charges (RUC) for every 1,000 km on top of fuel. This calculator covers fuel only.
Sources
Common questions
How much fuel does a campervan use in New Zealand?+
It depends on the vehicle, the load and the roads. Look up the vehicle's official figure on Rightcar (rightcar.govt.nz) or ask the hire company, then allow a margin for hills and a full load. The 12 L/100 km default is a planning figure for a loaded campervan, not a measured average.
Is a diesel or petrol campervan cheaper to run?+
Diesel is cheaper at the pump, but a light diesel vehicle also pays road user charges of NZ$76 per 1,000 km, which the pump price and this calculator leave out. Over 1,000 km at 12 L/100 km that is NZ$464.80 for diesel including RUC against NZ$433.20 for regular 91, so the answer depends on how much less fuel the diesel uses. Ask your hire company whether RUC is included in the rate.
How much is petrol in New Zealand right now?+
MBIE's national average board prices for the week dated 23 October 2026 were NZ$3.61 a litre for regular 91, NZ$3.81 for premium 95 and NZ$3.24 for diesel. The calculator starts at the regular 91 price. MBIE publishes prices every week and remote stations often charge more, so check before you go.
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Plan it in KiwiCamping
Find the stops, then do the maths.
KiwiCamping is free to download for iPhone. Bookable holiday parks, stays and tours are free in the app. DOC campsites, huts, dump stations and the guides open with the Pass.
