Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,304 miles, a gas price of $4.016 and a diesel price of $6.206 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 | 82 | $327 | $385 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 119 | $476 | $560 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 145 | $582 | $685 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 163 | $655 | $770 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 186 | $748 | $880 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 163 | $1,012 | $1,190 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $421 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 |
| New York, NY | $4.249 | $6.508 | New York average |
Gas runs about $0.46 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 New York, NY 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 New York, NY to New Orleans, LA.
More moves from New Orleans
- 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
- New Orleans to El Paso
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
- Nashville 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
- San Antonio to New York
- Jacksonville to New York
- Columbus to New York
- Indianapolis to New York
- Sacramento to New York
- Oklahoma City to New York
- Portland to New York
- Louisville to New York
- Memphis to New York
- Baltimore to New York
- Washington to New York
- Milwaukee to New York
- Albuquerque to New York
- Tucson to New York
- Kansas City to New York
- Salt Lake City to New York
- Minneapolis to New York
- Detroit to New York
- Cleveland to New York
- Pittsburgh to New York
- St. Louis to New York
- Cincinnati to New York
- Boise to New York
- Richmond to New York
- Birmingham to New York
- Omaha to New York
- Charleston to New York
- El Paso to New York