Moving truck gas cost from New Orleans, LA to Miami, FL

The drive is about 864 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $377 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Gulf Coast and Miami 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$377Likely $343 to $419

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$309save $69
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$425+$47
  • Towing a car$444+$67
  • Round trip$755+$377

864 miles at 9 MPG: 96.0 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

New OrleansMiami

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
864 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 16 hours
Gas price used
$3.932 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 864 miles, a gas price of $3.932 and a diesel price of $5.822 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1654$212$250
10 to 12 ft truck1179$309$363
15 to 17 ft truck996$377$444
20 to 22 ft truck8108$425$500
26 ft truck7123$485$571
26 ft truck (diesel)8108$629$740

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $273 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
New Orleans, LA$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average
Miami, FL$4.079$5.740Miami average

Gas runs about $0.29 a gallon cheaper around New Orleans, LA. Fill the tank before you leave New Orleans 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 New Orleans, LA to Miami, FL 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 Miami, FL to New Orleans, LA.