Is the Drive Worth It?
That farther store has a better price. Once you factor in gas and your time, is it actually cheaper?
Fill in the fields above to see your answer.
If the price gap were different
Here's the minimum price difference that makes the trip worth it:
| Price savings | Net gain | Verdict |
|---|
How this calculator works
We take the price difference between the two options and subtract two real costs: the extra gas for the extra distance (distance ÷ fuel efficiency × fuel price), and the value of your extra time (extra minutes converted to hours, times your hourly value). What's left is your actual net gain — not just the sticker-price savings.
We also calculate the break-even savings: the minimum price gap that makes the trip worth it once gas and time are factored in. If the farther option isn't cheaper by at least that much, you're better off staying close to home.
What this doesn't account for
- Other errands you can bundle into the same trip, which would spread the extra gas and time across more than one purchase.
- Extra wear and tear on your car from the additional miles.
- The risk of impulse-buying more than you planned once you're already at a bigger store.
- Whether buying in bulk at the farther option multiplies your actual savings beyond a single item's price gap.
- Parking, tolls, or other trip costs beyond fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the gas cost calculated?
We divide the extra round-trip miles by your fuel efficiency (mpg) to get gallons used, then multiply by the price per gallon. This gives the direct fuel cost of the extra drive. That cost is then compared against the price savings to see whether the trip is financially worth it — before factoring in your time.
Why is my time included in the calculation?
Gas is only part of the real cost of driving farther. The time you spend driving has value too — whatever else you could have done with it. We multiply your extra driving time by your hourly rate to put a dollar figure on that opportunity cost. This often flips the verdict from "worth it" to "not worth it."
What counts as the extra round-trip distance?
It's the total additional miles you'd drive compared to the nearby option — both ways. If the nearby store is 2 miles away and the farther one is 12 miles, the extra round-trip is 20 miles (10 extra each way × 2). Don't include the base trip you'd make regardless.
Does this calculator include vehicle wear and tear?
No, only fuel cost is included. For a more conservative estimate, you can approximate total driving cost by entering a lower mpg or inflating the fuel price to account for maintenance. The IRS mileage rate (~$0.67/mile) is a common all-in benchmark.