Cost to drive from Madrid to Bilbao
Driving from Madrid to Bilbao covers 396 km (246 miles) and takes about 4h 29min without stops. At Spain's current fuel prices (week of 2026-07-20), the fuel for the trip costs about €43.85 in a typical petrol car — here's the full breakdown for petrol, diesel and electric.
Enter your fuel economy and see stops along the way.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving distance between Madrid and Bilbao (396 km) from OpenStreetMap routing, then multiply by a typical car's fuel use and Spain's current average pump price. The petrol figure assumes 7 L/100km · 34 MPG; diesel and EV use 6 L/100km · 39 MPG and 18 kWh/100km. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the planner for your exact numbers, and check live prices on the Spain fuel prices page.
Related routes
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from Madrid to Bilbao?
The drive is 396 km (246 miles) and takes about 4h 29min without stops. Fuel costs roughly €43.85 in an average petrol car, €38.54 in a diesel, and €14.97 in an electric car, using Spain's current fuel prices.
How far is it from Madrid to Bilbao in miles and km?
About 246 miles or 396 kilometres by road — roughly 4h 29min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in Madrid or Bilbao?
Both ends use the same regional prices on this route.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Open the FuelWide route planner, enter your car's fuel economy, and it prices the trip on live data — and shows fuel or charging stops along the way.
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are Spain's current official averages; efficiency and electricity rate are typical estimates. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.