Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,053 miles, a gas price of $4.356 and a diesel price of $6.281 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 | 128 | $559 | $658 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 187 | $813 | $956 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 228 | $994 | $1,169 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 257 | $1,118 | $1,315 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 293 | $1,278 | $1,503 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 257 | $1,612 | $1,896 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $719 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 |
| Portland, OR | $5.007 | $6.659 | West Coast (excluding California) average |
Gas runs about $1.30 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 Portland, OR a 5-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 Portland, OR 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 Louisville
- 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 Portland
- New York to Portland
- Los Angeles to Portland
- Chicago to Portland
- Houston to Portland
- Phoenix to Portland
- Philadelphia to Portland
- San Diego to Portland
- Dallas to Portland
- Charlotte to Portland
- San Francisco to Portland
- Seattle to Portland
- Denver to Portland
- Nashville to Portland
- Atlanta to Portland
- Miami to Portland
- Boston to Portland
- Las Vegas to Portland
- Orlando to Portland
- Tampa to Portland
- Raleigh to Portland
- San Antonio to Portland
- Jacksonville to Portland
- Columbus to Portland
- Indianapolis to Portland
- Sacramento to Portland
- Oklahoma City to Portland
- Louisville to Portland
- Memphis to Portland
- Baltimore to Portland
- Washington to Portland
- Milwaukee to Portland
- Albuquerque to Portland
- Tucson to Portland
- Kansas City to Portland
- Salt Lake City to Portland
- Minneapolis to Portland
- Detroit to Portland
- Cleveland to Portland
- Pittsburgh to Portland
- St. Louis to Portland
- Cincinnati to Portland
- New Orleans to Portland
- Boise to Portland
- Richmond to Portland
- Birmingham to Portland
- Omaha to Portland
- Charleston to Portland
- El Paso to Portland