Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,331 miles, a gas price of $4.014 and a diesel price of $6.163 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 | 83 | $334 | $393 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 121 | $486 | $571 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 148 | $594 | $698 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 166 | $668 | $786 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 190 | $763 | $898 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 166 | $1,025 | $1,206 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $429 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $3.784 | $5.903 | Gulf Coast average |
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
Gas runs about $0.46 a gallon cheaper around Birmingham, AL. Fill the tank before you leave Birmingham 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 Birmingham, AL to Denver, CO 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 Denver, CO to Birmingham, AL.
More moves from Birmingham
- Birmingham to New York
- Birmingham to Los Angeles
- Birmingham to Chicago
- Birmingham to Houston
- Birmingham to Phoenix
- Birmingham to Philadelphia
- Birmingham to San Diego
- Birmingham to Dallas
- Birmingham to Austin
- Birmingham to Charlotte
- Birmingham to San Francisco
- Birmingham to Seattle
- Birmingham to Nashville
- Birmingham to Atlanta
- Birmingham to Miami
- Birmingham to Boston
- Birmingham to Las Vegas
- Birmingham to Orlando
- Birmingham to Tampa
- Birmingham to Raleigh
- Birmingham to San Antonio
- Birmingham to Jacksonville
- Birmingham to Columbus
- Birmingham to Indianapolis
- Birmingham to Sacramento
- Birmingham to Oklahoma City
- Birmingham to Portland
- Birmingham to Louisville
- Birmingham to Memphis
- Birmingham to Baltimore
- Birmingham to Washington
- Birmingham to Milwaukee
- Birmingham to Albuquerque
- Birmingham to Tucson
- Birmingham to Kansas City
- Birmingham to Salt Lake City
- Birmingham to Minneapolis
- Birmingham to Detroit
- Birmingham to Cleveland
- Birmingham to Pittsburgh
- Birmingham to St. Louis
- Birmingham to Cincinnati
- Birmingham to New Orleans
- Birmingham to Boise
- Birmingham to Richmond
- Birmingham to Omaha
- Birmingham to Charleston
- Birmingham to El Paso
More moves to Denver
- New York to Denver
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Chicago to Denver
- Houston to Denver
- Phoenix to Denver
- Philadelphia to Denver
- San Diego to Denver
- Dallas to Denver
- Austin to Denver
- Charlotte to Denver
- San Francisco to Denver
- Seattle to Denver
- Nashville to Denver
- Atlanta to Denver
- Miami to Denver
- Boston to Denver
- Las Vegas to Denver
- Orlando to Denver
- Tampa to Denver
- Raleigh to Denver
- San Antonio to Denver
- Jacksonville to Denver
- Columbus to Denver
- Indianapolis to Denver
- Sacramento to Denver
- Oklahoma City to Denver
- Portland to Denver
- Louisville to Denver
- Memphis to Denver
- Baltimore to Denver
- Washington to Denver
- Milwaukee to Denver
- Albuquerque to Denver
- Tucson to Denver
- Kansas City to Denver
- Salt Lake City to Denver
- Minneapolis to Denver
- Detroit to Denver
- Cleveland to Denver
- Pittsburgh to Denver
- St. Louis to Denver
- Cincinnati to Denver
- New Orleans to Denver
- Boise to Denver
- Richmond to Denver
- Omaha to Denver
- Charleston to Denver
- El Paso to Denver