Moving truck gas cost from Birmingham, AL to St. Louis, MO

The drive is about 499 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $220 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Gulf Coast and Midwest 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$220Likely $200 to $244

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$180save $40
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$247+$27
  • Towing a car$259+$39
  • Round trip$440+$220

499 miles at 9 MPG: 55.4 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

BirminghamSt. Louis

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
499 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 9 hours
Gas price used
$3.964 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 499 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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1631$124$145
10 to 12 ft truck1145$180$212
15 to 17 ft truck955$220$259
20 to 22 ft truck862$247$291
26 ft truck771$283$332
26 ft truck (diesel)862$382$450

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $159 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
St. Louis, MO$4.145$6.352Midwest 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 St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to Birmingham, AL.