Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,628 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 | 102 | $443 | $521 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 148 | $645 | $758 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 181 | $788 | $927 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 204 | $886 | $1,043 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 233 | $1,013 | $1,192 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 204 | $1,278 | $1,504 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $570 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, 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 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 Portland, OR a 4-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 El Paso, TX.
More moves from El Paso
- El Paso to New York
- El Paso to Los Angeles
- El Paso to Chicago
- El Paso to Houston
- El Paso to Phoenix
- El Paso to Philadelphia
- El Paso to San Diego
- El Paso to Dallas
- El Paso to Austin
- El Paso to Charlotte
- El Paso to San Francisco
- El Paso to Seattle
- El Paso to Denver
- El Paso to Nashville
- El Paso to Atlanta
- El Paso to Miami
- El Paso to Boston
- El Paso to Las Vegas
- El Paso to Orlando
- El Paso to Tampa
- El Paso to Raleigh
- El Paso to San Antonio
- El Paso to Jacksonville
- El Paso to Columbus
- El Paso to Indianapolis
- El Paso to Sacramento
- El Paso to Oklahoma City
- El Paso to Louisville
- El Paso to Memphis
- El Paso to Baltimore
- El Paso to Washington
- El Paso to Milwaukee
- El Paso to Albuquerque
- El Paso to Tucson
- El Paso to Kansas City
- El Paso to Salt Lake City
- El Paso to Minneapolis
- El Paso to Detroit
- El Paso to Cleveland
- El Paso to Pittsburgh
- El Paso to St. Louis
- El Paso to Cincinnati
- El Paso to New Orleans
- El Paso to Boise
- El Paso to Richmond
- El Paso to Birmingham
- El Paso to Omaha
- El Paso to Charleston
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
- Dallas 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