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$2.96 a litre, that is NZ$355.20.
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. Use the figure from your hire company or vehicle and allow a margin for hills. The 12 L/100 km default is a planning figure for a loaded campervan, not a measured average.
Does the fuel cost include road user charges?+
No. Diesel vehicles in New Zealand pay road user charges per 1,000 km separately from fuel. Ask your hire company whether RUC is included in the rate, and check NZTA for current charges.
Where does the default fuel price come from?+
It is MBIE's national board price for regular 91 petrol in the week ending 26 July 2026. MBIE publishes fuel prices every week, so check the latest figure before you go.
Related guides
More road trip calculators
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.