Moving truck gas cost from Memphis, TN to Albuquerque, NM

The drive is about 1,010 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $445 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Midwest and Gulf Coast 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$445Likely $404 to $494

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$364save $81
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$500+$56
  • Towing a car$523+$79
  • Round trip$890+$445

1,010 miles at 9 MPG: 112.2 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

MemphisAlbuquerque

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,010 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 17 hours
Gas price used
$3.964 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,010 miles, a gas price of $3.964 and a diesel price of $6.127 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1663$250$294
10 to 12 ft truck1192$364$428
15 to 17 ft truck9112$445$523
20 to 22 ft truck8126$500$589
26 ft truck7144$572$673
26 ft truck (diesel)8126$774$910

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $322 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
Memphis, TN$4.145$6.352Midwest average
Albuquerque, NM$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average

Gas runs about $0.36 a gallon cheaper around Albuquerque, NM. Most one-way rentals are returned near Albuquerque, 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 Memphis, TN to Albuquerque, NM a 3-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 Albuquerque, NM to Memphis, TN.