Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 952 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 | 60 | $250 | $294 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 87 | $363 | $427 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 106 | $444 | $522 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 119 | $499 | $588 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 136 | $571 | $672 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 119 | $765 | $900 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $321 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 |
| St. Louis, MO | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest 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 St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to New York, NY.
More moves from New York
- New York to Los Angeles
- New York to Chicago
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- New York to Phoenix
- New York to Philadelphia
- New York to San Diego
- New York to Dallas
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- New York to San Francisco
- New York to Seattle
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- New York to Orlando
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- New York to Washington
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- New York to Salt Lake City
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- New York to Cincinnati
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More moves to St. Louis
- Los Angeles to St. Louis
- Chicago to St. Louis
- Houston to St. Louis
- Phoenix to St. Louis
- Philadelphia to St. Louis
- San Diego to St. Louis
- Dallas to St. Louis
- Austin to St. Louis
- Charlotte to St. Louis
- San Francisco to St. Louis
- Seattle to St. Louis
- Denver to St. Louis
- Nashville to St. Louis
- Atlanta to St. Louis
- Miami to St. Louis
- Boston to St. Louis
- Las Vegas to St. Louis
- Orlando to St. Louis
- Tampa to St. Louis
- Raleigh to St. Louis
- San Antonio to St. Louis
- Jacksonville to St. Louis
- Columbus to St. Louis
- Indianapolis to St. Louis
- Sacramento to St. Louis
- Oklahoma City to St. Louis
- Portland to St. Louis
- Louisville to St. Louis
- Memphis to St. Louis
- Baltimore to St. Louis
- Washington to St. Louis
- Milwaukee to St. Louis
- Albuquerque to St. Louis
- Tucson to St. Louis
- Kansas City to St. Louis
- Salt Lake City to St. Louis
- Minneapolis to St. Louis
- Detroit to St. Louis
- Cleveland to St. Louis
- Pittsburgh to St. Louis
- Cincinnati to St. Louis
- New Orleans to St. Louis
- Boise to St. Louis
- Richmond to St. Louis
- Birmingham to St. Louis
- Omaha to St. Louis
- Charleston to St. Louis
- El Paso to St. Louis