Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 94 miles, a gas price of $4.281 and a diesel price of $6.508 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 | 6 | $25 | $30 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 9 | $37 | $43 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 10 | $45 | $53 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 12 | $50 | $59 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 13 | $57 | $68 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 12 | $76 | $90 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $32 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 York, NY | $4.249 | $6.508 | New York average |
| Philadelphia, PA | $4.312 | $6.508 | Central Atlantic 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 York, NY to Philadelphia, PA a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Philadelphia, PA to New York, NY.
More moves from New York
- New York to Los Angeles
- New York to Chicago
- New York to Houston
- New York to Phoenix
- New York to San Diego
- New York to Dallas
- New York to Austin
- New York to Charlotte
- New York to San Francisco
- New York to Seattle
- New York to Denver
- New York to Nashville
- New York to Atlanta
- New York to Miami
- New York to Boston
- New York to Las Vegas
- New York to Orlando
- New York to Tampa
- New York to Raleigh
More moves to Philadelphia
- Los Angeles to Philadelphia
- Chicago to Philadelphia
- Houston to Philadelphia
- Phoenix to Philadelphia
- San Diego to Philadelphia
- Dallas to Philadelphia
- Austin to Philadelphia
- Charlotte to Philadelphia
- San Francisco to Philadelphia
- Seattle to Philadelphia
- Denver to Philadelphia
- Nashville to Philadelphia
- Atlanta to Philadelphia
- Miami to Philadelphia
- Boston to Philadelphia
- Las Vegas to Philadelphia
- Orlando to Philadelphia
- Tampa to Philadelphia
- Raleigh to Philadelphia