PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Austin, TX to San Diego, CA

The drive is about 1,301 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $704 at this week’s prices.

AustinSan Diego

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
1,301 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 22 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
3 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$4.868 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 California prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$703.70
Gallons144.6
Per mile$0.54

1,301 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,301 miles, a gas price of $4.868 and a diesel price of $7.073 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1681$396$466
10 to 12 ft truck11118$576$677
15 to 17 ft truck9145$704$828
20 to 22 ft truck8163$792$931
26 ft truck7186$905$1,064
26 ft truck (diesel)8163$1,150$1,353

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $509 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
San Diego, CA$6.031$8.242California average

Gas runs about $2.33 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 San Diego, CA 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 San Diego, CA to Austin, TX.