Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,807 miles, a gas price of $4.434 and a diesel price of $6.200 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 | 113 | $501 | $589 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 164 | $728 | $857 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 201 | $890 | $1,047 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 226 | $1,002 | $1,178 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 258 | $1,145 | $1,347 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 226 | $1,400 | $1,648 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $644 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | $5.007 | $6.659 | West Coast (excluding California) average |
| Atlanta, GA | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
Gas runs about $1.15 a gallon cheaper around Atlanta, GA. Most one-way rentals are returned near Atlanta, 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 Phoenix, AZ to Atlanta, GA a 5-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 Atlanta, GA to Phoenix, AZ.
More moves from Phoenix
- Phoenix to New York
- Phoenix to Los Angeles
- Phoenix to Chicago
- Phoenix to Houston
- Phoenix to Philadelphia
- Phoenix to San Diego
- Phoenix to Dallas
- Phoenix to Austin
- Phoenix to Charlotte
- Phoenix to San Francisco
- Phoenix to Seattle
- Phoenix to Denver
- Phoenix to Nashville
- Phoenix to Miami
- Phoenix to Boston
- Phoenix to Las Vegas
- Phoenix to Orlando
- Phoenix to Tampa
- Phoenix to Raleigh
More moves to Atlanta
- New York to Atlanta
- Los Angeles to Atlanta
- Chicago to Atlanta
- Houston to Atlanta
- Philadelphia to Atlanta
- San Diego to Atlanta
- Dallas to Atlanta
- Austin to Atlanta
- Charlotte to Atlanta
- San Francisco to Atlanta
- Seattle to Atlanta
- Denver to Atlanta
- Nashville to Atlanta
- Miami to Atlanta
- Boston to Atlanta
- Las Vegas to Atlanta
- Orlando to Atlanta
- Tampa to Atlanta
- Raleigh to Atlanta