Moving truck gas cost from Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA

The drive is about 842 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $491 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Rocky Mountain and Los Angeles 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$491Likely $446 to $545

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$401save $89
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$552+$61
  • Towing a car$577+$87
  • Round trip$981+$491

842 miles at 9 MPG: 93.6 gallons, $0.58 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

BoiseLos Angeles

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
842 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 16 hours
Gas price used
$5.245 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 842 miles, a gas price of $5.245 and a diesel price of $7.332 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1653$276$325
10 to 12 ft truck1177$401$472
15 to 17 ft truck994$491$577
20 to 22 ft truck8105$552$649
26 ft truck7120$631$742
26 ft truck (diesel)8105$772$908

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $355 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
Boise, ID$4.468$6.422Rocky Mountain average
Los Angeles, CA$6.021$8.242Los Angeles average

Gas runs about $1.55 a gallon cheaper around Boise, ID. Fill the tank before you leave Boise 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 Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA to Boise, ID.