# Thread: Calculating gas expense evenly

1. ## Calculating gas expense evenly

Good morning. A group of us are headed to the Appalachian Mountains on a motorcycle trip. We will be towing our bikes there and want to share the gas expense to and from the destination evenly among all members.

1. 3 vehicles going. 1 truck towing the trailer with the motorcycles and 2 cars. Se lets call Truck A, Car B & Car C.
2. 7 participants going.

The dilemma lies in the fact that we want to share all gas expense to and from the destination. The truck gets terrible mileage, while the cars get terrific mileage. One option, though it is clumsy, is for one person to put all gas purchases to and from the destination on their credit card and then at the end of the trip all other participants pay that person 1/6th of the total bill. As you can image, that will get awkward at the gas pumps. I'm sure there is an easier way.

Thoughts?

Thank you.

Thomas

2. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

I don't see any problem with each driver pumping his/her own gas and keeping the receipt so that the total cost of gas can be divided among all riders at the end.

3. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

Right, but what are the actual mechanics? It gets clumsy for my simple head.
For example: Let's say the truck A spent $300. Car B spent$120 and car C spent $140. I'm just looking for the process with the least amounts of steps. Thanks. 4. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly Originally Posted by tgyeti Right, but what are the actual mechanics? It gets clumsy for my simple head. For example: Let's say the truck A spent \$300. Car B spent \$120 and car C spent \$140.
I'm just looking for the process with the least amounts of steps. Thanks.
Am I missing something? Just add up all the gas receipts and divide by 7 ...

$\displaystyle \frac{300+120+140}{7} = 80$

Everyone pays \$80 5. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly Sorry. The internet is lousy at conveying nuance. Yes, I know the solution you offered. Here's what I need help with. Over the course of the trip, each vehicle has paid for it's own gas. So, at the end of the trip all of the participants get together and start reimbursing each other. It's THAT event I need suggestions for as to what is the most efficient way of doing things. For example. The riders of the truck A spent cumulatively$150. Car B riders spent cumulatively $60 and car C riders spent cumulatively$70. I'm trying to avoid an awkward scenario where money is changing hands repeatedly back and for and it might get confusing for some (me!).
I guess in reviewing my question, the question really isn't about algebra, but social engineering. Perhaps I should have asked Dear Abby. *kidding*

6. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

Sounds like a bunch of old ladies trying to split the check at lunch.

Maybe you all should throw an equal amount of cash into a pot prior to the trip, pay for gas from that pot-o-money, then split what's left over.

7. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

I'm not sure what you mean by cumulatively. In my opinion it is simplest to let the driver of each vehicle pay for the gas on the trip.

If the driver of car truck A spent \$150, and each person was to pay the average \$80, then the drive of truck A should receive 150- 80= \$70 from the others. (And can divide that evenly among the riders if the costs were divided evenly.) If the driver of car B spent \$60, then the driver of car B should pay in 80- 60= \$20 to the kitty. If the driver of Car C spent \$70, then the driver of Car C should contribute 80- 70= \$10 to the kitty. (If gas costs were shared equally in cars B and C, each should contribute \$80 minus his/her fair share of \$20 or \$10.)

8. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

Skeeter, not sure why the snarky response. Just using the internet to get a question answered.

Thanks again.

9. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

$\displaystyle \frac{300+120+140}{7} = 80$

The 4 non drivers (80 each) put 320 bucks on table.
A takes 300 - 80 = 220
B takes 120 - 80 = 40
C takes 140 - 80 = 60
==============
Alltogethernow1,2,3: 320

10. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

Beer soaked ramblings follow.
Originally Posted by DenisB
$\displaystyle \frac{300+120+140}{7} = 80$
Very picturesque Sir D.
Art thou a convert now?

11. ## Re: Calculating gas expense evenly

NO....I "quoted" Skeeter's