Moving truck gas cost from Omaha, NE to Tucson, AZ

The drive is about 1,314 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $668 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Midwest and West Coast (excluding California) 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$668Likely $607 to $742

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$547save $121
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$752+$84
  • Towing a car$786+$118
  • Round trip$1,336+$668

1,314 miles at 9 MPG: 146.0 gallons, $0.51 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

OmahaTucson

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,314 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 24 hours
Gas price used
$4.576 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,314 miles, a gas price of $4.576 and a diesel price of $6.506 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1682$376$442
10 to 12 ft truck11119$547$643
15 to 17 ft truck9146$668$786
20 to 22 ft truck8164$752$884
26 ft truck7188$859$1,011
26 ft truck (diesel)8164$1,069$1,257

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $483 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
Omaha, NE$4.145$6.352Midwest average
Tucson, AZ$5.007$6.659West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $0.86 a gallon cheaper around Omaha, NE. Fill the tank before you leave Omaha 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 Omaha, NE to Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson, AZ to Omaha, NE.