How can you compare fuel costs if you decide to rent a car?
Renting a car in Calgary gives you freedom of movement, but fuel costs can significantly impact your budget. To make an informed choice, you need to consider fuel prices, car efficiency, and your routes. Here is a step-by-step plan for comparing costs.
1. Analyze current fuel prices
As of May 2025, the average prices in Calgary are:
| Fuel type | Average price (CAD/l) |
|---|---|
| Gasoline (Regular) | 1.479 |
| Diesel | 1.53 |
| Premium gasoline | 1.729 |
| Where to check current prices: |
- Gas Wizard, CAA - interactive maps with gas station prices.
- Apps: GasBuddy, Waze - show the cheapest gas stations nearby.
2. Calculating expenses based on car efficiency
Formula: Cost = (Distance in km × Fuel consumption l/100 km × Price per liter) / 100
Example for the Calgary–Banff route (260 km round trip):
| Car class | Model | Fuel consumption (l/100 km) | Distance (km) | Fuel costs (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Toyota Corolla | 6.7 | 520 | 51.6 |
| SUV | SUV | 10 | 520 | 77.1 |
| Hybrid | Toyota Prius | 4.8 | 520 | 36.8 |
3. Choosing an economical car
| Class | Model | Fuel consumption (l/100 km) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy (Compact) | Hyundai Elantra | 6.6 |
| Crossover | Kia Niro Hybrid | 4.8 |
| SUV | Ford Escape Hybrid | 5.8 |
| Pickup | Ford Maverick Hybrid | 9.6 |
4. Comparison of rental options
Average rental prices (May 2025):
- Economy class: 81 CAD/day
- SUV: 110 CAD/day
- Hybrid: 130 CAD/day Example for a weekly rental (1,000 km): | Car | Rental cost (CAD) | Fuel costs (CAD) | Total (CAD) | |----------------|-----------------------|-------------------------|---------------| | Hyundai Kona | 567 | 54.6 | 621.6 | | Jeep Wrangler | 770 | 147.9 | 917.9 |
5. Practical tips for saving money
- Fill up in the suburbs: prices are often lower than in the city.
- Avoid premium gasoline: most cars run on Regular (87 octane).
- Use loyalty programs: Petro-Points, Esso Extra.
- Choose the “full tank” option: it's usually cheaper than paying the company for refueling.
- Plan your routes in advance and avoid traffic jams.
Conclusion
To minimize costs: rent a hybrid or economy car, plan your routes, and keep an eye out for fuel deals. Use apps to compare prices and take into account average costs — this can help you save up to 30% of your transportation budget.