At the UK average pump price of 174.07p a litre (GOV.UK, week of 26 October 2026), 10 miles in a petrol car costs between £1.58 and £3.96. The exact figure depends on your car's mpg.
10 miles is a typical school run, a daily commute (5 miles each way), or a quick supermarket trip. The numbers look small, but multiplied by 200+ working days a year they add up. This page gives the per-trip cost and the annual figure for common commute distances.
10 miles petrol cost by MPG
Petrol pump price: 174.07p per litre, the UK average for the week of 26 October 2026 (DESNZ weekly road fuel prices). Imperial gallon conversion: 4.546 litres per gallon.
| Vehicle | MPG | Cost for 10 Miles | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient hatchback | 50 | £1.58 | 15.8p |
| Modern small car | 45 | £1.76 | 17.6p |
| Average saloon | 40 | £1.98 | 19.8p |
| Family SUV | 35 | £2.26 | 22.6p |
| Older car / SUV | 30 | £2.64 | 26.4p |
| Older / inefficient | 25 | £3.17 | 31.7p |
| Large 4x4 / V6+ | 20 | £3.96 | 39.6p |
This guide gives an estimate, not financial advice. For decisions about your own money, check with a qualified adviser or HMRC.
How the calculation works
The formula uses imperial gallons:
Cost = (Distance / MPG) x 4.546 x Price per litre
For 10 miles at 40 MPG with petrol at 174.07p:
(10 / 40) x 4.546 = 1.14 litres, and 1.14 x 174.07p = £1.98
Short journeys also tend to deliver real-world MPG that is 15-25% below manufacturer figures because the engine never fully warms up. Plan for the lower end of the table if your trip is mostly cold-engine driving.
Daily 10 mile commute annual cost
10 miles a day (a 5 mile each-way commute) across 230 UK working days is 2,300 miles per year. At 174.07p per litre:
| MPG | Per Day | Per Working Year (230 days) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 MPG | £1.58 | £364.02 |
| 40 MPG | £1.98 | £455.02 |
| 30 MPG | £2.64 | £606.69 |
| 25 MPG | £3.17 | £728.03 |
If you commute 5 miles each way in a 40 MPG car you spend roughly £455.02 a year on petrol getting to and from work. Doubling the commute distance doubles that figure.
Bus, walk, cycle or drive 10 miles?
For short distances, fuel cost is rarely the deciding factor:
- Bus: typically £2-3.50 single fare in most UK towns. Comparable to driving.
- Cycle (5 miles each way): zero fuel, ~25-30 minutes. Saves £455.02 a year on a 40 MPG commute.
- Walk (1-2 miles): not 10 miles realistically, but if your commute is shorter, walking is the obvious answer.
- Drive: £1.58 to £3.96 per day, plus parking, plus depreciation, plus the wear of cold-engine starts.
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