PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Miami, FL to San Diego, CA

The drive is about 2,656 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,492 at this week’s prices.

MiamiSan Diego

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
2,656 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 46 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
6 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$5.055 a gallon

Adjust the numbers for your move

miles
Trip
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

$/ gallon

Starts halfway between Miami and California prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$1,491.79
Gallons295.1
Per mile$0.56

2,656 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,656 miles, a gas price of $5.055 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 van16166$839$987
10 to 12 ft truck11241$1,221$1,436
15 to 17 ft truck9295$1,492$1,755
20 to 22 ft truck8332$1,678$1,974
26 ft truck7379$1,918$2,256
26 ft truck (diesel)8332$2,321$2,731

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $1,079 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
San Diego, CA$6.031$8.242California average

Gas runs about $1.95 a gallon cheaper around Miami, FL. Fill the tank before you leave Miami 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 Miami, FL to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Miami, FL.