Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 694 miles, a gas price of $3.744 and a diesel price of $5.903 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 43 | $162 | $191 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 63 | $236 | $278 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 77 | $289 | $340 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 87 | $325 | $382 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 99 | $371 | $437 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 87 | $512 | $602 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $209 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.
Fuel prices at each end of the move
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
| Albuquerque, NM | $3.784 | $5.903 | Gulf Coast average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
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 Austin, TX to Albuquerque, NM a 2-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 Albuquerque, NM to Austin, TX.
More moves from Austin
- Austin to New York
- Austin to Los Angeles
- Austin to Chicago
- Austin to Houston
- Austin to Phoenix
- Austin to Philadelphia
- Austin to San Diego
- Austin to Dallas
- Austin to Charlotte
- Austin to San Francisco
- Austin to Seattle
- Austin to Denver
- Austin to Nashville
- Austin to Atlanta
- Austin to Miami
- Austin to Boston
- Austin to Las Vegas
- Austin to Orlando
- Austin to Tampa
- Austin to Raleigh
- Austin to San Antonio
- Austin to Jacksonville
- Austin to Columbus
- Austin to Indianapolis
- Austin to Sacramento
- Austin to Oklahoma City
- Austin to Portland
- Austin to Louisville
- Austin to Memphis
- Austin to Baltimore
- Austin to Washington
- Austin to Milwaukee
- Austin to Tucson
- Austin to Kansas City
- Austin to Salt Lake City
- Austin to Minneapolis
- Austin to Detroit
- Austin to Cleveland
- Austin to Pittsburgh
- Austin to St. Louis
- Austin to Cincinnati
- Austin to New Orleans
- Austin to Boise
- Austin to Richmond
- Austin to Birmingham
- Austin to Omaha
- Austin to Charleston
- Austin to El Paso
More moves to Albuquerque
- New York to Albuquerque
- Los Angeles to Albuquerque
- Chicago to Albuquerque
- Houston to Albuquerque
- Phoenix to Albuquerque
- Philadelphia to Albuquerque
- San Diego to Albuquerque
- Dallas to Albuquerque
- Charlotte to Albuquerque
- San Francisco to Albuquerque
- Seattle to Albuquerque
- Denver to Albuquerque
- Nashville to Albuquerque
- Atlanta to Albuquerque
- Miami to Albuquerque
- Boston to Albuquerque
- Las Vegas to Albuquerque
- Orlando to Albuquerque
- Tampa to Albuquerque
- Raleigh to Albuquerque
- San Antonio to Albuquerque
- Jacksonville to Albuquerque
- Columbus to Albuquerque
- Indianapolis to Albuquerque
- Sacramento to Albuquerque
- Oklahoma City to Albuquerque
- Portland to Albuquerque
- Louisville to Albuquerque
- Memphis to Albuquerque
- Baltimore to Albuquerque
- Washington to Albuquerque
- Milwaukee to Albuquerque
- Tucson to Albuquerque
- Kansas City to Albuquerque
- Salt Lake City to Albuquerque
- Minneapolis to Albuquerque
- Detroit to Albuquerque
- Cleveland to Albuquerque
- Pittsburgh to Albuquerque
- St. Louis to Albuquerque
- Cincinnati to Albuquerque
- New Orleans to Albuquerque
- Boise to Albuquerque
- Richmond to Albuquerque
- Birmingham to Albuquerque
- Omaha to Albuquerque
- Charleston to Albuquerque
- El Paso to Albuquerque