Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,092 miles, a gas price of $3.744 and a diesel price of $5.903 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 | 68 | $256 | $301 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 99 | $372 | $437 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 121 | $454 | $534 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 137 | $511 | $601 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 156 | $584 | $687 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 137 | $806 | $948 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $329 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | $3.784 | $5.903 | Gulf Coast average |
| El Paso, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas 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 New Orleans, LA to El Paso, TX 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 El Paso, TX to New Orleans, LA.
More moves from New Orleans
- New Orleans to New York
- New Orleans to Los Angeles
- New Orleans to Chicago
- New Orleans to Houston
- New Orleans to Phoenix
- New Orleans to Philadelphia
- New Orleans to San Diego
- New Orleans to Dallas
- New Orleans to Austin
- New Orleans to Charlotte
- New Orleans to San Francisco
- New Orleans to Seattle
- New Orleans to Denver
- New Orleans to Nashville
- New Orleans to Atlanta
- New Orleans to Miami
- New Orleans to Boston
- New Orleans to Las Vegas
- New Orleans to Orlando
- New Orleans to Tampa
- New Orleans to Raleigh
- New Orleans to San Antonio
- New Orleans to Jacksonville
- New Orleans to Columbus
- New Orleans to Indianapolis
- New Orleans to Sacramento
- New Orleans to Oklahoma City
- New Orleans to Portland
- New Orleans to Louisville
- New Orleans to Memphis
- New Orleans to Baltimore
- New Orleans to Washington
- New Orleans to Milwaukee
- New Orleans to Albuquerque
- New Orleans to Tucson
- New Orleans to Kansas City
- New Orleans to Salt Lake City
- New Orleans to Minneapolis
- New Orleans to Detroit
- New Orleans to Cleveland
- New Orleans to Pittsburgh
- New Orleans to St. Louis
- New Orleans to Cincinnati
- New Orleans to Boise
- New Orleans to Richmond
- New Orleans to Birmingham
- New Orleans to Omaha
- New Orleans to Charleston
More moves to El Paso
- New York to El Paso
- Los Angeles to El Paso
- Chicago to El Paso
- Houston to El Paso
- Phoenix to El Paso
- Philadelphia to El Paso
- San Diego to El Paso
- Dallas to El Paso
- Austin to El Paso
- Charlotte to El Paso
- San Francisco to El Paso
- Seattle to El Paso
- Denver to El Paso
- Nashville to El Paso
- Atlanta to El Paso
- Miami to El Paso
- Boston to El Paso
- Las Vegas to El Paso
- Orlando to El Paso
- Tampa to El Paso
- Raleigh to El Paso
- San Antonio to El Paso
- Jacksonville to El Paso
- Columbus to El Paso
- Indianapolis to El Paso
- Sacramento to El Paso
- Oklahoma City to El Paso
- Portland to El Paso
- Louisville to El Paso
- Memphis to El Paso
- Baltimore to El Paso
- Washington to El Paso
- Milwaukee to El Paso
- Albuquerque to El Paso
- Tucson to El Paso
- Kansas City to El Paso
- Salt Lake City to El Paso
- Minneapolis to El Paso
- Detroit to El Paso
- Cleveland to El Paso
- Pittsburgh to El Paso
- St. Louis to El Paso
- Cincinnati to El Paso
- Boise to El Paso
- Richmond to El Paso
- Birmingham to El Paso
- Omaha to El Paso
- Charleston to El Paso