Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 961 miles, a gas price of $4.016 and a diesel price of $6.206 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 | 60 | $241 | $284 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 87 | $351 | $413 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 107 | $429 | $504 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 120 | $482 | $568 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 137 | $551 | $649 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 120 | $745 | $877 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $310 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 |
| New York, NY | $4.249 | $6.508 | New York 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 New York, NY 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 New York, NY to Birmingham, AL.
More moves from Birmingham
- 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 Denver
- 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 New York
- Los Angeles to New York
- Chicago to New York
- Houston to New York
- Phoenix to New York
- Philadelphia to New York
- San Diego to New York
- Dallas to New York
- Austin to New York
- Charlotte to New York
- San Francisco to New York
- Seattle to New York
- Denver to New York
- Nashville to New York
- Atlanta to New York
- Miami to New York
- Boston to New York
- Las Vegas to New York
- Orlando to New York
- Tampa to New York
- Raleigh to New York
- San Antonio to New York
- Jacksonville to New York
- Columbus to New York
- Indianapolis to New York
- Sacramento to New York
- Oklahoma City to New York
- Portland to New York
- Louisville to New York
- Memphis to New York
- Baltimore to New York
- Washington to New York
- Milwaukee to New York
- Albuquerque to New York
- Tucson to New York
- Kansas City to New York
- Salt Lake City to New York
- Minneapolis to New York
- Detroit to New York
- Cleveland to New York
- Pittsburgh to New York
- St. Louis to New York
- Cincinnati to New York
- New Orleans to New York
- Boise to New York
- Richmond to New York
- Omaha to New York
- Charleston to New York
- El Paso to New York