Moving truck gas cost from Miami, FL to Detroit, MI

The drive is about 1,370 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $626 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Miami and Midwest 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$626Likely $569 to $695

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$512save $114
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$704+$78
  • Towing a car$736+$110
  • Round trip$1,252+$626

1,370 miles at 9 MPG: 152.2 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

MiamiDetroit

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,370 miles
Driving days
4 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 25 hours
Gas price used
$4.112 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,370 miles, a gas price of $4.112 and a diesel price of $6.046 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1686$352$414
10 to 12 ft truck11125$512$603
15 to 17 ft truck9152$626$736
20 to 22 ft truck8171$704$828
26 ft truck7196$805$947
26 ft truck (diesel)8171$1,035$1,218

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $453 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
Miami, FL$4.079$5.740Miami average
Detroit, MI$4.145$6.352Midwest 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 Miami, FL to Detroit, MI 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 Detroit, MI to Miami, FL.