Moving truck gas cost from Albuquerque, NM to Denver, CO

The drive is about 446 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $199 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Gulf Coast and Denver prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026.

More options: MPG, towing
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

Fuel cost$199Likely $181 to $221

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$163save $36
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$224+$25
  • Towing a car$234+$35
  • Round trip$398+$199

446 miles at 9 MPG: 49.6 gallons, $0.45 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

AlbuquerqueDenver

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
446 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 8 hours
Gas price used
$4.014 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 446 miles, a gas price of $4.014 and a diesel price of $6.163 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1628$112$132
10 to 12 ft truck1141$163$191
15 to 17 ft truck950$199$234
20 to 22 ft truck856$224$263
26 ft truck764$256$301
26 ft truck (diesel)856$344$404

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $144 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.

Fuel prices at each end of the move

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Albuquerque, NM$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average
Denver, CO$4.244$6.422Denver average

Gas runs about $0.46 a gallon cheaper around Albuquerque, NM. Fill the tank before you leave Albuquerque and stretch it as far as you safely can.

Weekly retail averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for the week of October 19, 2026. Prices along the way will vary. EIA source

Planning the drive

A loaded box truck is slower than a car on hills and safest at moderate speeds, and most drivers find 450 miles a comfortable day. That makes Albuquerque, NM to Denver, CO a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Denver, CO to Albuquerque, NM.