PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA

The drive is about 2,079 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,240 at this week’s prices.

ChicagoSan Diego

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
2,079 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 37 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
5 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$5.368 a gallon

Adjust the numbers for your move

miles
Trip
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

$/ gallon

Starts halfway between Chicago and California prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$1,240.01
Gallons231.0
Per mile$0.60

2,079 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,079 miles, a gas price of $5.368 and a diesel price of $7.297 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16130$698$821
10 to 12 ft truck11189$1,015$1,194
15 to 17 ft truck9231$1,240$1,459
20 to 22 ft truck8260$1,395$1,641
26 ft truck7297$1,594$1,876
26 ft truck (diesel)8260$1,896$2,231

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $897 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
Chicago, IL$4.705$6.352Chicago average
San Diego, CA$6.031$8.242California average

Gas runs about $1.33 a gallon cheaper around Chicago, IL. Fill the tank before you leave Chicago 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 Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA a 5-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 Diego, CA to Chicago, IL.