Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 382 miles, a gas price of $6.011 and a diesel price of $8.242 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 | 24 | $144 | $169 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 35 | $209 | $246 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 42 | $255 | $300 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 48 | $287 | $338 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 55 | $328 | $386 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 48 | $394 | $463 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $185 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 | $6.021 | $8.242 | Los Angeles average |
| San Francisco, CA | $6.001 | $8.242 | San Francisco average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
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 San Francisco, CA a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See San Francisco, CA 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 Seattle
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Los Angeles to Nashville
- Los Angeles to Atlanta
- Los Angeles to Miami
- Los Angeles to Boston
- Los Angeles to Las Vegas
- Los Angeles to Orlando
- Los Angeles to Tampa
- Los Angeles to Raleigh
More moves to San Francisco
- New York to San Francisco
- Chicago to San Francisco
- Houston to San Francisco
- Phoenix to San Francisco
- Philadelphia to San Francisco
- San Diego to San Francisco
- Dallas to San Francisco
- Austin to San Francisco
- Charlotte to San Francisco
- Seattle to San Francisco
- Denver to San Francisco
- Nashville to San Francisco
- Atlanta to San Francisco
- Miami to San Francisco
- Boston to San Francisco
- Las Vegas to San Francisco
- Orlando to San Francisco
- Tampa to San Francisco
- Raleigh to San Francisco