Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 270 miles, a gas price of $5.51 and a diesel price of $7.45 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 | 17 | $93 | $109 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 25 | $135 | $159 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 30 | $165 | $195 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 34 | $186 | $219 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 39 | $213 | $250 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 34 | $251 | $296 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $120 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $6.02 | $8.24 | Los Angeles average |
| Las Vegas, NV | $5.01 | $6.66 | West Coast (excluding California) average |
Gas runs about $1.01 a gallon cheaper around Las Vegas, NV. Most one-way rentals are returned near Las Vegas, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA.
More moves from Los Angeles
- Los Angeles to New York
- Los Angeles to Chicago
- Los Angeles to Houston
- Los Angeles to Phoenix
- Los Angeles to Philadelphia
- Los Angeles to San Diego
- Los Angeles to Dallas
- Los Angeles to Austin
- Los Angeles to Charlotte
- Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Los Angeles to Seattle
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Los Angeles to Nashville
- Los Angeles to Atlanta
- Los Angeles to Miami
- Los Angeles to Boston
- Los Angeles to Orlando
- Los Angeles to Tampa
- Los Angeles to Raleigh
More moves to Las Vegas
- New York to Las Vegas
- Chicago to Las Vegas
- Houston to Las Vegas
- Phoenix to Las Vegas
- Philadelphia to Las Vegas
- San Diego to Las Vegas
- Dallas to Las Vegas
- Austin to Las Vegas
- Charlotte to Las Vegas
- San Francisco to Las Vegas
- Seattle to Las Vegas
- Denver to Las Vegas
- Nashville to Las Vegas
- Atlanta to Las Vegas
- Miami to Las Vegas
- Boston to Las Vegas
- Orlando to Las Vegas
- Tampa to Las Vegas
- Raleigh to Las Vegas