Petrol Costs I Want To Make A Contribution How Much?

[gordiescotland1]

Hi there
I am going with my parents on Christmas day to my sisters and family. The round trip is 160 miles I would like to make a contribution to petrol but I dont know how much to make as I have never driven in my life so I don't know about cost of petrol and per mile or gallon etc. I know they are not expecting a contribution at all but I want to give them one as they are in their 80s and I want to show them I'm being responsible. Any idea how much is a fair amount. I dont want to give them too much and embarrassing myself or give them too little and seem like a cheapskate

[goodgoalie]

I think £20 would be about right

[Xeronema]

£40 would cover the cost of fuel at around 30 miles to the gallon.

[Xeronema]

Me being me, I'd probably go half-way between my answer and goodgoalie's :)

[gordiescotland1]

Thanks for those answers they are really helpful

[Xeronema]

After re-reading the question, I think the first answer makes more sense than mine. My answer would more than likely result in you paying the petrol cost for the entire journey and not just, as you put it, make a contribution. £20 is ideal.

[Buenchico]

My car costs around 22p per mile to run around town but a bit less on a longer run. So you're probably looking at around £30 in fuel for the journey. Unless you actually want to cover the whole cost, £20 would seem to be a decent enough contribution to me.

[anneasquith]

Give them a bit extra gordie, they like everyone else may be feeling the pinch .

[goodgoalie]

I think if you offer more than £20 your parents are likely to refuse it as 'too much'. £20 is an acceptable, non-embarrassing amount.

[jno]

I don't think people at your age can still embarrass themselves, or their parents either. And on Christmas day you cannot give parents "too much". If you can afford it, give them a nice new £50 and your thanks.

[10ClarionSt]

Bang 'em thirty quid. That'll cover it.

[bhg481]

£20 is a good amount and you can do it in one note that you could just tuck in his pocket.
Another option is to persuade them to fill-up at the start of the journey "to make sure we don't run out" and then nip in and pay for it. It might cost you a bit more that way but it's a good sneaky way of subsidising them a bit.

[Gizmonster]

I came to the figure of £20 before looking at any of the answers .... it looks like we're all on the same page ..... it appears that £20 seems to be a fair amount :)

[windywillow]

I know it's not what you asked, but I'm with jno on this.

I'd tell them how grateful you are for being driven there and back, and insist on paying for the petrol in full, adding that it's the least you can do to repay their kind gesture.

[bobbie22]

I would pay for the lot. If they will not take any money, I would pay for a nice meal on the way or maybe later. It’s very nice to be driven somewhere, and you are being very considerate,