Moving truck gas cost from Jacksonville, FL to Los Angeles, CA

The drive is about 2,418 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,344 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Florida and Los Angeles 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$1,344Likely $1,221 to $1,493

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$1,099save $244
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$1,512+$168
  • Towing a car$1,581+$237
  • Round trip$2,687+$1,344

2,418 miles at 9 MPG: 268.7 gallons, $0.56 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

JacksonvilleLos Angeles

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
2,418 miles
Driving days
6 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 42 hours
Gas price used
$5.001 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,418 miles, a gas price of $5.001 and a diesel price of $6.991 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16151$756$889
10 to 12 ft truck11220$1,099$1,293
15 to 17 ft truck9269$1,344$1,581
20 to 22 ft truck8302$1,512$1,778
26 ft truck7345$1,727$2,032
26 ft truck (diesel)8302$2,113$2,486

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $972 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
Jacksonville, FL$3.981$5.740Florida average
Los Angeles, CA$6.021$8.242Los Angeles average

Gas runs about $2.04 a gallon cheaper around Jacksonville, FL. Fill the tank before you leave Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, FL to Los Angeles, CA a 6-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 Los Angeles, CA to Jacksonville, FL.