Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 885 miles, a gas price of $4.197 and a diesel price of $6.430 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 | 55 | $232 | $273 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 80 | $338 | $397 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 98 | $413 | $486 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 111 | $464 | $546 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 126 | $531 | $624 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 111 | $711 | $837 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $298 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| New York, NY | $4.249 | $6.508 | New York 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 Nashville, TN to New York, NY a 2-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 New York, NY to Nashville, TN.
More moves from Nashville
- Nashville to Los Angeles
- Nashville to Chicago
- Nashville to Houston
- Nashville to Phoenix
- Nashville to Philadelphia
- Nashville to San Diego
- Nashville to Dallas
- Nashville to Austin
- Nashville to Charlotte
- Nashville to San Francisco
- Nashville to Seattle
- Nashville to Denver
- Nashville to Atlanta
- Nashville to Miami
- Nashville to Boston
- Nashville to Las Vegas
- Nashville to Orlando
- Nashville to Tampa
- Nashville to Raleigh
More moves to New York
- Los Angeles to New York
- Chicago to New York
- Houston to New York
- Phoenix to New York
- Philadelphia to New York
- San Diego to New York
- Dallas to New York
- Austin to New York
- Charlotte to New York
- San Francisco to New York
- Seattle to New York
- Denver to New York
- Atlanta to New York
- Miami to New York
- Boston to New York
- Las Vegas to New York
- Orlando to New York
- Tampa to New York
- Raleigh to New York