PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Philadelphia, PA to San Diego, CA

The drive is about 2,736 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,572 at this week’s prices.

PhiladelphiaSan Diego

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
2,736 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 49 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
7 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$5.172 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 California prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$1,572.29
Gallons304.0
Per mile$0.57

2,736 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,736 miles, a gas price of $5.172 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 van16171$884$1,040
10 to 12 ft truck11249$1,286$1,513
15 to 17 ft truck9304$1,572$1,850
20 to 22 ft truck8342$1,769$2,081
26 ft truck7391$2,022$2,378
26 ft truck (diesel)8342$2,522$2,967

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $1,137 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
San Diego, CA$6.031$8.242California average

Gas runs about $1.72 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA.