Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,030 miles, a gas price of $3.925 and a diesel price of $6.127 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 | 64 | $253 | $297 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 94 | $368 | $432 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 114 | $449 | $528 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 129 | $505 | $595 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 147 | $578 | $679 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 129 | $789 | $928 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $325 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 |
| Louisville, KY | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.44 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 Louisville, KY 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 Louisville, KY 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 Memphis
- Austin to Baltimore
- Austin to Washington
- Austin to Milwaukee
- Austin to Albuquerque
- 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 Louisville
- New York to Louisville
- Los Angeles to Louisville
- Chicago to Louisville
- Houston to Louisville
- Phoenix to Louisville
- Philadelphia to Louisville
- San Diego to Louisville
- Dallas to Louisville
- Charlotte to Louisville
- San Francisco to Louisville
- Seattle to Louisville
- Denver to Louisville
- Nashville to Louisville
- Atlanta to Louisville
- Miami to Louisville
- Boston to Louisville
- Las Vegas to Louisville
- Orlando to Louisville
- Tampa to Louisville
- Raleigh to Louisville
- San Antonio to Louisville
- Jacksonville to Louisville
- Columbus to Louisville
- Indianapolis to Louisville
- Sacramento to Louisville
- Oklahoma City to Louisville
- Portland to Louisville
- Memphis to Louisville
- Baltimore to Louisville
- Washington to Louisville
- Milwaukee to Louisville
- Albuquerque to Louisville
- Tucson to Louisville
- Kansas City to Louisville
- Salt Lake City to Louisville
- Minneapolis to Louisville
- Detroit to Louisville
- Cleveland to Louisville
- Pittsburgh to Louisville
- St. Louis to Louisville
- Cincinnati to Louisville
- New Orleans to Louisville
- Boise to Louisville
- Richmond to Louisville
- Birmingham to Louisville
- Omaha to Louisville
- Charleston to Louisville
- El Paso to Louisville