School Run Time and Fuel Cost Comparison

How to use it

1. Choose Fixed home (or Fixed school) above the map and tap the map. Then tap for options 1, 2 and 3 in turn. School options can also be picked from the school list.
2. Below the map, choose whether you are picking a school or a home, and the city (Riyadh or Dubai).
3. Distance and time are estimated as soon as you pin, and the results appear.
4. Open See route on Google Maps, set a weekday morning departure, and correct the numbers for a more accurate result.

How it is calculated

• Pinned one-way distance = straight-line distance × 1.3, a rough allowance for roads not running straight
• One-way time = distance ÷ the average speed you choose: rush-hour traffic 30 km/h, mostly city roads 50 km/h, mostly expressways 80 km/h, expressways in light traffic 100 km/h, or your own. Saudi expressways often have a 120 km/h limit, so 80 to 100 km/h averages are possible in light traffic.
• Daily distance = one-way distance × 2 × round trips per day. Use 1 if a school bus takes one leg or you drop off on your way to work.
• Yearly fuel cost = daily distance × school days per year ÷ fuel economy × price per litre
• Yearly driving time = one-way time × 2 × round trips per day × school days per year

Things to keep in mind

• Estimated distances and times are rough. Morning traffic in Riyadh and Dubai can change journey times a lot.
• The default petrol prices are Aramco October 2026 prices (2.18 SAR per litre for 91 octane, 2.33 SAR for 95). In Dubai, enter the price per litre in AED.
• Depreciation, insurance and maintenance are not included. If you are thinking about an EV, compare with the EV vs combustion running cost calculator.

See also: School cost comparison calculator

Sources

• Aramco, retail fuel prices

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Leaflet