Moving truck gas cost from Minneapolis, MN to Salt Lake City, UT

The drive is about 1,246 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $599 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Minnesota and Rocky Mountain 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$599Likely $544 to $665

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$490save $109
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$673+$75
  • Towing a car$704+$106
  • Round trip$1,197+$599

1,246 miles at 9 MPG: 138.4 gallons, $0.48 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

MinneapolisSalt Lake City

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,246 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 22 hours
Gas price used
$4.324 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,246 miles, a gas price of $4.324 and a diesel price of $6.387 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1678$337$396
10 to 12 ft truck11113$490$576
15 to 17 ft truck9138$599$704
20 to 22 ft truck8156$673$792
26 ft truck7178$770$905
26 ft truck (diesel)8156$995$1,170

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $433 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
Minneapolis, MN$4.180$6.352Minnesota average
Salt Lake City, UT$4.468$6.422Rocky Mountain average

Gas runs about $0.29 a gallon cheaper around Minneapolis, MN. Fill the tank before you leave Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis, MN to Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Minneapolis, MN.