Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 646 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 | 40 | $158 | $186 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 59 | $231 | $271 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 72 | $282 | $331 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 81 | $317 | $373 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 92 | $362 | $426 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 81 | $495 | $582 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $204 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 |
| Memphis, TN | $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 Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN 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 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 Memphis
- New York to Memphis
- Los Angeles to Memphis
- Chicago to Memphis
- Houston to Memphis
- Phoenix to Memphis
- Philadelphia to Memphis
- San Diego to Memphis
- Dallas to Memphis
- Charlotte to Memphis
- San Francisco to Memphis
- Seattle to Memphis
- Denver to Memphis
- Nashville to Memphis
- Atlanta to Memphis
- Miami to Memphis
- Boston to Memphis
- Las Vegas to Memphis
- Orlando to Memphis
- Tampa to Memphis
- Raleigh to Memphis
- San Antonio to Memphis
- Jacksonville to Memphis
- Columbus to Memphis
- Indianapolis to Memphis
- Sacramento to Memphis
- Oklahoma City to Memphis
- Portland to Memphis
- Louisville to Memphis
- Baltimore to Memphis
- Washington to Memphis
- Milwaukee to Memphis
- Albuquerque to Memphis
- Tucson to Memphis
- Kansas City to Memphis
- Salt Lake City to Memphis
- Minneapolis to Memphis
- Detroit to Memphis
- Cleveland to Memphis
- Pittsburgh to Memphis
- St. Louis to Memphis
- Cincinnati to Memphis
- New Orleans to Memphis
- Boise to Memphis
- Richmond to Memphis
- Birmingham to Memphis
- Omaha to Memphis
- Charleston to Memphis
- El Paso to Memphis