Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 870 miles, a gas price of $3.964 and a diesel price of $6.127 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 | 54 | $216 | $254 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 79 | $314 | $369 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 97 | $383 | $451 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 109 | $431 | $507 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 124 | $493 | $580 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 109 | $666 | $784 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $277 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 |
| Omaha, NE | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.36 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 Omaha, NE a 2-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 Omaha, NE 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 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 Charleston
- Birmingham to El Paso
More moves to Omaha
- New York to Omaha
- Los Angeles to Omaha
- Chicago to Omaha
- Houston to Omaha
- Phoenix to Omaha
- Philadelphia to Omaha
- San Diego to Omaha
- Dallas to Omaha
- Austin to Omaha
- Charlotte to Omaha
- San Francisco to Omaha
- Seattle to Omaha
- Denver to Omaha
- Nashville to Omaha
- Atlanta to Omaha
- Miami to Omaha
- Boston to Omaha
- Las Vegas to Omaha
- Orlando to Omaha
- Tampa to Omaha
- Raleigh to Omaha
- San Antonio to Omaha
- Jacksonville to Omaha
- Columbus to Omaha
- Indianapolis to Omaha
- Sacramento to Omaha
- Oklahoma City to Omaha
- Portland to Omaha
- Louisville to Omaha
- Memphis to Omaha
- Baltimore to Omaha
- Washington to Omaha
- Milwaukee to Omaha
- Albuquerque to Omaha
- Tucson to Omaha
- Kansas City to Omaha
- Salt Lake City to Omaha
- Minneapolis to Omaha
- Detroit to Omaha
- Cleveland to Omaha
- Pittsburgh to Omaha
- St. Louis to Omaha
- Cincinnati to Omaha
- New Orleans to Omaha
- Boise to Omaha
- Richmond to Omaha
- Charleston to Omaha
- El Paso to Omaha