Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,064 miles, a gas price of $4.576 and a diesel price of $6.506 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 | 129 | $590 | $694 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 188 | $859 | $1,010 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 229 | $1,049 | $1,235 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 258 | $1,181 | $1,389 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 295 | $1,349 | $1,587 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 258 | $1,679 | $1,975 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $759 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| Portland, OR | $5.007 | $6.659 | West Coast (excluding California) average |
Gas runs about $0.86 a gallon cheaper around Milwaukee, WI. Fill the tank before you leave Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI to Portland, OR 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 Portland, OR to Milwaukee, WI.
More moves from Milwaukee
- Milwaukee to New York
- Milwaukee to Los Angeles
- Milwaukee to Chicago
- Milwaukee to Houston
- Milwaukee to Phoenix
- Milwaukee to Philadelphia
- Milwaukee to San Diego
- Milwaukee to Dallas
- Milwaukee to Austin
- Milwaukee to Charlotte
- Milwaukee to San Francisco
- Milwaukee to Seattle
- Milwaukee to Denver
- Milwaukee to Nashville
- Milwaukee to Atlanta
- Milwaukee to Miami
- Milwaukee to Boston
- Milwaukee to Las Vegas
- Milwaukee to Orlando
- Milwaukee to Tampa
- Milwaukee to Raleigh
- Milwaukee to San Antonio
- Milwaukee to Jacksonville
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Indianapolis
- Milwaukee to Sacramento
- Milwaukee to Oklahoma City
- Milwaukee to Louisville
- Milwaukee to Memphis
- Milwaukee to Baltimore
- Milwaukee to Washington
- Milwaukee to Albuquerque
- Milwaukee to Tucson
- Milwaukee to Kansas City
- Milwaukee to Salt Lake City
- Milwaukee to Minneapolis
- Milwaukee to Detroit
- Milwaukee to Cleveland
- Milwaukee to Pittsburgh
- Milwaukee to St. Louis
- Milwaukee to Cincinnati
- Milwaukee to New Orleans
- Milwaukee to Boise
- Milwaukee to Richmond
- Milwaukee to Birmingham
- Milwaukee to Omaha
- Milwaukee to Charleston
- Milwaukee to El Paso
More moves to Portland
- New York to Portland
- Los Angeles to Portland
- Chicago to Portland
- Houston to Portland
- Phoenix to Portland
- Philadelphia to Portland
- San Diego to Portland
- Dallas to Portland
- Austin to Portland
- Charlotte to Portland
- San Francisco to Portland
- Seattle to Portland
- Denver to Portland
- Nashville to Portland
- Atlanta to Portland
- Miami to Portland
- Boston to Portland
- Las Vegas to Portland
- Orlando to Portland
- Tampa to Portland
- Raleigh to Portland
- San Antonio to Portland
- Jacksonville to Portland
- Columbus to Portland
- Indianapolis to Portland
- Sacramento to Portland
- Oklahoma City to Portland
- Louisville to Portland
- Memphis to Portland
- Baltimore to Portland
- Washington to Portland
- Albuquerque to Portland
- Tucson to Portland
- Kansas City to Portland
- Salt Lake City to Portland
- Minneapolis to Portland
- Detroit to Portland
- Cleveland to Portland
- Pittsburgh to Portland
- St. Louis to Portland
- Cincinnati to Portland
- New Orleans to Portland
- Boise to Portland
- Richmond to Portland
- Birmingham to Portland
- Omaha to Portland
- Charleston to Portland
- El Paso to Portland