Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 860 miles, a gas price of $3.744 and a diesel price of $5.903 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 | $201 | $237 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 78 | $293 | $344 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 96 | $358 | $421 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 108 | $402 | $474 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 123 | $460 | $541 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 108 | $635 | $747 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $259 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 |
| San Antonio, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
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 San Antonio, TX 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 San Antonio, TX 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 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 San Antonio
- New York to San Antonio
- Los Angeles to San Antonio
- Chicago to San Antonio
- Houston to San Antonio
- Phoenix to San Antonio
- Philadelphia to San Antonio
- San Diego to San Antonio
- Dallas to San Antonio
- Austin to San Antonio
- Charlotte to San Antonio
- San Francisco to San Antonio
- Seattle to San Antonio
- Denver to San Antonio
- Nashville to San Antonio
- Atlanta to San Antonio
- Miami to San Antonio
- Boston to San Antonio
- Las Vegas to San Antonio
- Orlando to San Antonio
- Tampa to San Antonio
- Raleigh to San Antonio
- Jacksonville to San Antonio
- Columbus to San Antonio
- Indianapolis to San Antonio
- Sacramento to San Antonio
- Oklahoma City to San Antonio
- Portland to San Antonio
- Louisville to San Antonio
- Memphis to San Antonio
- Baltimore to San Antonio
- Washington to San Antonio
- Milwaukee to San Antonio
- Albuquerque to San Antonio
- Tucson to San Antonio
- Kansas City to San Antonio
- Salt Lake City to San Antonio
- Minneapolis to San Antonio
- Detroit to San Antonio
- Cleveland to San Antonio
- Pittsburgh to San Antonio
- St. Louis to San Antonio
- Cincinnati to San Antonio
- New Orleans to San Antonio
- Boise to San Antonio
- Richmond to San Antonio
- Omaha to San Antonio
- Charleston to San Antonio
- El Paso to San Antonio