Moving truck gas cost from Baltimore, MD to Salt Lake City, UT

The drive is about 2,088 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,018 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Central Atlantic and Rocky Mountain prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026.

More options: MPG, towing
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

Fuel cost$1,018Likely $926 to $1,132

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$833save $185
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$1,146+$127
  • Towing a car$1,198+$180
  • Round trip$2,037+$1,018

2,088 miles at 9 MPG: 232.0 gallons, $0.49 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

BaltimoreSalt Lake City

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
2,088 miles
Driving days
5 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 37 hours
Gas price used
$4.390 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,088 miles, a gas price of $4.390 and a diesel price of $6.465 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16131$573$674
10 to 12 ft truck11190$833$980
15 to 17 ft truck9232$1,018$1,198
20 to 22 ft truck8261$1,146$1,348
26 ft truck7298$1,309$1,541
26 ft truck (diesel)8261$1,687$1,985

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $737 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
Baltimore, MD$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average
Salt Lake City, UT$4.468$6.422Rocky Mountain average

Gas runs about $0.16 a gallon cheaper around Baltimore, MD. Fill the tank before you leave Baltimore 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 Baltimore, MD to Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Baltimore, MD.