PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Austin, TX to Philadelphia, PA

The drive is about 1,660 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $739 at this week’s prices.

AustinPhiladelphia

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
1,660 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 30 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
4 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$4.008 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 Central Atlantic prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$739.25
Gallons184.4
Per mile$0.45

1,660 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,660 miles, a gas price of $4.008 and a diesel price of $6.206 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16104$416$489
10 to 12 ft truck11151$605$712
15 to 17 ft truck9184$739$870
20 to 22 ft truck8208$832$978
26 ft truck7237$950$1,118
26 ft truck (diesel)8208$1,288$1,515

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $535 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
Philadelphia, PA$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.61 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 Philadelphia, PA a 4-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 Philadelphia, PA to Austin, TX.