Moving truck gas cost from Boston, MA to Tucson, AZ

The drive is about 2,604 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,339 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Boston and West Coast (excluding California) 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$1,339Likely $1,217 to $1,488

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$1,096save $243
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$1,506+$167
  • Towing a car$1,575+$236
  • Round trip$2,678+$1,339

2,604 miles at 9 MPG: 289.3 gallons, $0.51 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

BostonTucson

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
2,604 miles
Driving days
6 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 48 hours
Gas price used
$4.628 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,604 miles, a gas price of $4.628 and a diesel price of $6.565 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16163$753$886
10 to 12 ft truck11237$1,096$1,289
15 to 17 ft truck9289$1,339$1,575
20 to 22 ft truck8326$1,506$1,772
26 ft truck7372$1,722$2,025
26 ft truck (diesel)8326$2,137$2,514

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $968 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
Boston, MA$4.249$6.470Boston average
Tucson, AZ$5.007$6.659West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $0.76 a gallon cheaper around Boston, MA. Fill the tank before you leave Boston 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 Boston, MA to Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson, AZ to Boston, MA.