Moving truck gas cost from Miami, FL to Tucson, AZ

The drive is about 2,249 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,135 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Miami and West Coast (excluding California) 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$1,135Likely $1,032 to $1,261

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$929save $206
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$1,277+$142
  • Towing a car$1,336+$200
  • Round trip$2,270+$1,135

2,249 miles at 9 MPG: 249.9 gallons, $0.50 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

MiamiTucson

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
2,249 miles
Driving days
5 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 39 hours
Gas price used
$4.543 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,249 miles, a gas price of $4.543 and a diesel price of $6.200 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16141$639$751
10 to 12 ft truck11204$929$1,093
15 to 17 ft truck9250$1,135$1,336
20 to 22 ft truck8281$1,277$1,503
26 ft truck7321$1,460$1,717
26 ft truck (diesel)8281$1,743$2,051

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $821 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
Tucson, AZ$5.007$6.659West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $0.93 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 Tucson, AZ a 5-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 Tucson, AZ to Miami, FL.