PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL

The drive is about 1,160 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $542 at this week’s prices.

AustinChicago

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
1,160 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 20 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
3 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$4.205 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 Texas and Chicago prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$541.98
Gallons128.9
Per mile$0.47

1,160 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,160 miles, a gas price of $4.205 and a diesel price of $6.127 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1673$305$359
10 to 12 ft truck11105$443$522
15 to 17 ft truck9129$542$638
20 to 22 ft truck8145$610$717
26 ft truck7166$697$820
26 ft truck (diesel)8145$888$1,045

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $392 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
Austin, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average
Chicago, IL$4.705$6.352Chicago average

Gas runs about $1.00 a gallon cheaper around Austin, TX. Fill the tank before you leave Austin 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 Austin, TX to Chicago, IL a 3-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 Chicago, IL to Austin, TX.