Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,623 miles, a gas price of $4.656 and a diesel price of $6.281 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 | 164 | $763 | $898 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 238 | $1,110 | $1,306 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 291 | $1,357 | $1,596 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 328 | $1,527 | $1,796 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 375 | $1,745 | $2,053 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 328 | $2,059 | $2,423 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $981 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 |
| Seattle, WA | $5.527 | $6.659 | Seattle average |
Gas runs about $1.74 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 Seattle, WA a 6-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 Seattle, WA 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 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 Seattle
- New York to Seattle
- Los Angeles to Seattle
- Chicago to Seattle
- Houston to Seattle
- Phoenix to Seattle
- Philadelphia to Seattle
- San Diego to Seattle
- Dallas to Seattle
- Austin to Seattle
- Charlotte to Seattle
- San Francisco to Seattle
- Denver to Seattle
- Nashville to Seattle
- Atlanta to Seattle
- Miami to Seattle
- Boston to Seattle
- Las Vegas to Seattle
- Orlando to Seattle
- Tampa to Seattle
- Raleigh to Seattle
- San Antonio to Seattle
- Jacksonville to Seattle
- Columbus to Seattle
- Indianapolis to Seattle
- Sacramento to Seattle
- Oklahoma City to Seattle
- Portland to Seattle
- Louisville to Seattle
- Memphis to Seattle
- Baltimore to Seattle
- Washington to Seattle
- Milwaukee to Seattle
- Albuquerque to Seattle
- Tucson to Seattle
- Kansas City to Seattle
- Salt Lake City to Seattle
- Minneapolis to Seattle
- Detroit to Seattle
- Cleveland to Seattle
- Pittsburgh to Seattle
- St. Louis to Seattle
- Cincinnati to Seattle
- New Orleans to Seattle
- Boise to Seattle
- Richmond to Seattle
- Omaha to Seattle
- Charleston to Seattle
- El Paso to Seattle