Detroit, MI to Houston, TX Moving Truck Gas Cost

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,298 miles, a gas price of $3.927 and a diesel price of $6.127 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	81	$319	$375
10 to 12 ft truck	11	118	$463	$545
15 to 17 ft truck	9	144	$566	$666
20 to 22 ft truck	8	162	$637	$750
26 ft truck	7	185	$728	$857
26 ft truck (diesel)	8	162	$994	$1,170

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $410 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
Detroit, MI	$4.145	$6.352	Midwest average
Houston, TX	$3.710	$5.903	Houston average

Gas runs about $0.43 a gallon cheaper around Houston, TX. Most one-way rentals are returned near Houston, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.

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 Detroit, MI to Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX to Detroit, MI.

Moving truck gas cost from Detroit, MI to Houston, TX