Moving truck gas cost from Cleveland, OH to Tucson, AZ

The drive is about 1,983 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,002 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Cleveland 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$1,002Likely $911 to $1,114

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$820save $182
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$1,128+$125
  • Towing a car$1,179+$177
  • Round trip$2,005+$1,002

1,983 miles at 9 MPG: 220.3 gallons, $0.51 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ClevelandTucson

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,983 miles
Driving days
5 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 36 hours
Gas price used
$4.549 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,983 miles, a gas price of $4.549 and a diesel price of $6.506 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16124$564$663
10 to 12 ft truck11180$820$965
15 to 17 ft truck9220$1,002$1,179
20 to 22 ft truck8248$1,128$1,327
26 ft truck7283$1,289$1,516
26 ft truck (diesel)8248$1,613$1,897

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $725 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
Cleveland, OH$4.090$6.352Cleveland average
Tucson, AZ$5.007$6.659West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $0.92 a gallon cheaper around Cleveland, OH. Fill the tank before you leave Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson, AZ to Cleveland, OH.