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

The drive is about 639 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $276 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Florida and Gulf Coast 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$276Likely $251 to $306

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$226save $50
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$310+$34
  • Towing a car$324+$49
  • Round trip$551+$276

639 miles at 9 MPG: 71.0 gallons, $0.43 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

OrlandoNew Orleans

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
639 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 12 hours
Gas price used
$3.883 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 639 miles, a gas price of $3.883 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 van1640$155$182
10 to 12 ft truck1158$226$265
15 to 17 ft truck971$276$324
20 to 22 ft truck880$310$365
26 ft truck791$354$417
26 ft truck (diesel)880$465$547

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $199 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
Orlando, FL$3.981$5.740Florida average
New Orleans, LA$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average

Gas runs about $0.20 a gallon cheaper around New Orleans, LA. Most one-way rentals are returned near New Orleans, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.

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 Orlando, FL to New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, LA to Orlando, FL.