Moving truck gas cost from Birmingham, AL to San Antonio, TX

The drive is about 860 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $358 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Gulf Coast and Texas 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$358Likely $325 to $398

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$293save $65
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$402+$45
  • Towing a car$421+$63
  • Round trip$716+$358

860 miles at 9 MPG: 95.6 gallons, $0.42 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

BirminghamSan Antonio

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
860 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 16 hours
Gas price used
$3.744 a gallon

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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1654$201$237
10 to 12 ft truck1178$293$344
15 to 17 ft truck996$358$421
20 to 22 ft truck8108$402$474
26 ft truck7123$460$541
26 ft truck (diesel)8108$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

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Birmingham, AL$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average
San Antonio, TX$3.704$5.903Texas 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.