Moving truck gas cost from El Paso, TX to Denver, CO

The drive is about 635 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $280 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Texas and Denver 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$280Likely $255 to $312

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$229save $51
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$315+$35
  • Towing a car$330+$49
  • Round trip$561+$280

635 miles at 9 MPG: 70.6 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

El PasoDenver

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
635 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 12 hours
Gas price used
$3.974 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 635 miles, a gas price of $3.974 and a diesel price of $6.163 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1640$158$186
10 to 12 ft truck1158$229$270
15 to 17 ft truck971$280$330
20 to 22 ft truck879$315$371
26 ft truck791$360$424
26 ft truck (diesel)879$489$576

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $203 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
El Paso, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average
Denver, CO$4.244$6.422Denver average

Gas runs about $0.54 a gallon cheaper around El Paso, TX. Fill the tank before you leave El Paso 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 El Paso, TX to Denver, CO a 2-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 Denver, CO to El Paso, TX.