PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Atlanta, GA to San Diego, CA

The drive is about 2,143 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,178 at this week’s prices.

AtlantaSan Diego

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
2,143 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 37 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
5 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$4.946 a gallon

Adjust the numbers for your move

miles
Trip
MPG

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

$/ gallon

Starts halfway between Lower Atlantic and California prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$1,177.70
Gallons238.1
Per mile$0.55

2,143 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,143 miles, a gas price of $4.946 and a diesel price of $6.991 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16134$662$779
10 to 12 ft truck11195$964$1,134
15 to 17 ft truck9238$1,178$1,386
20 to 22 ft truck8268$1,325$1,559
26 ft truck7306$1,514$1,781
26 ft truck (diesel)8268$1,873$2,203

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $852 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
Atlanta, GA$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
San Diego, CA$6.031$8.242California average

Gas runs about $2.17 a gallon cheaper around Atlanta, GA. Fill the tank before you leave Atlanta 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 Atlanta, GA to San Diego, CA a 5-day drive, so budget for hotel nights and meals on top of fuel. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See San Diego, CA to Atlanta, GA.