PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA

The drive is about 2,713 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,558 at this week’s prices.

PhiladelphiaLos Angeles

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
2,713 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 48 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
7 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$5.167 a gallon

Adjust the numbers for your move

miles
Trip
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

$/ gallon

Starts halfway between Central Atlantic and Los Angeles prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$1,557.56
Gallons301.4
Per mile$0.57

2,713 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,713 miles, a gas price of $5.167 and a diesel price of $7.375 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16170$876$1,031
10 to 12 ft truck11247$1,274$1,499
15 to 17 ft truck9301$1,558$1,832
20 to 22 ft truck8339$1,752$2,061
26 ft truck7388$2,003$2,356
26 ft truck (diesel)8339$2,501$2,942

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $1,126 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
Philadelphia, PA$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average
Los Angeles, CA$6.021$8.242Los Angeles average

Gas runs about $1.71 a gallon cheaper around Philadelphia, PA. Fill the tank before you leave Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA a 7-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 Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA.