Moving truck gas cost from Dallas, TX to Pittsburgh, PA

The drive is about 1,224 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $545 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Texas and Central Atlantic 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$545Likely $496 to $606

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$446save $99
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$613+$68
  • Towing a car$641+$96
  • Round trip$1,090+$545

1,224 miles at 9 MPG: 136.0 gallons, $0.45 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

DallasPittsburgh

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,224 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 22 hours
Gas price used
$4.008 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,224 miles, a gas price of $4.008 and a diesel price of $6.206 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1677$307$361
10 to 12 ft truck11111$446$525
15 to 17 ft truck9136$545$641
20 to 22 ft truck8153$613$721
26 ft truck7175$701$825
26 ft truck (diesel)8153$950$1,117

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $394 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
Dallas, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average
Pittsburgh, PA$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.61 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Fill the tank before you leave Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to Pittsburgh, PA a 3-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 Pittsburgh, PA to Dallas, TX.