Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,018 miles, a gas price of $4.356 and a diesel price of $6.281 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 126 | $549 | $646 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 183 | $799 | $940 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 224 | $977 | $1,149 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 252 | $1,099 | $1,293 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 288 | $1,256 | $1,477 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 252 | $1,584 | $1,864 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $706 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.
Fuel prices at each end of the move
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
| Portland, OR | $5.007 | $6.659 | West Coast (excluding California) average |
Gas runs about $1.30 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 Portland, OR 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 Portland, OR to Dallas, TX.
More moves from Dallas
- Dallas to New York
- Dallas to Los Angeles
- Dallas to Chicago
- Dallas to Houston
- Dallas to Phoenix
- Dallas to Philadelphia
- Dallas to San Diego
- Dallas to Austin
- Dallas to Charlotte
- Dallas to San Francisco
- Dallas to Seattle
- Dallas to Denver
- Dallas to Nashville
- Dallas to Atlanta
- Dallas to Miami
- Dallas to Boston
- Dallas to Las Vegas
- Dallas to Orlando
- Dallas to Tampa
- Dallas to Raleigh
- Dallas to San Antonio
- Dallas to Jacksonville
- Dallas to Columbus
- Dallas to Indianapolis
- Dallas to Sacramento
- Dallas to Oklahoma City
- Dallas to Louisville
- Dallas to Memphis
- Dallas to Baltimore
- Dallas to Washington
- Dallas to Milwaukee
- Dallas to Albuquerque
- Dallas to Tucson
- Dallas to Kansas City
- Dallas to Salt Lake City
- Dallas to Minneapolis
- Dallas to Detroit
- Dallas to Cleveland
- Dallas to Pittsburgh
- Dallas to St. Louis
- Dallas to Cincinnati
- Dallas to New Orleans
- Dallas to Boise
- Dallas to Richmond
- Dallas to Birmingham
- Dallas to Omaha
- Dallas to Charleston
- Dallas to El Paso
More moves to Portland
- New York to Portland
- Los Angeles to Portland
- Chicago to Portland
- Houston to Portland
- Phoenix to Portland
- Philadelphia to Portland
- San Diego to Portland
- Austin to Portland
- Charlotte to Portland
- San Francisco to Portland
- Seattle to Portland
- Denver to Portland
- Nashville to Portland
- Atlanta to Portland
- Miami to Portland
- Boston to Portland
- Las Vegas to Portland
- Orlando to Portland
- Tampa to Portland
- Raleigh to Portland
- San Antonio to Portland
- Jacksonville to Portland
- Columbus to Portland
- Indianapolis to Portland
- Sacramento to Portland
- Oklahoma City to Portland
- Louisville to Portland
- Memphis to Portland
- Baltimore to Portland
- Washington to Portland
- Milwaukee to Portland
- Albuquerque to Portland
- Tucson to Portland
- Kansas City to Portland
- Salt Lake City to Portland
- Minneapolis to Portland
- Detroit to Portland
- Cleveland to Portland
- Pittsburgh to Portland
- St. Louis to Portland
- Cincinnati to Portland
- New Orleans to Portland
- Boise to Portland
- Richmond to Portland
- Birmingham to Portland
- Omaha to Portland
- Charleston to Portland
- El Paso to Portland