Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,065 miles, a gas price of $4.356 and a diesel price of $6.281 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 | 67 | $290 | $341 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 97 | $422 | $496 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 118 | $515 | $606 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 133 | $580 | $682 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 152 | $663 | $780 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 133 | $836 | $984 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $373 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 |
| Dallas, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
Gas runs about $1.30 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Most one-way rentals are returned near Dallas, 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 Dallas, TX 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 Dallas, TX 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 Austin
- Phoenix to Charlotte
- Phoenix to San Francisco
- Phoenix to Seattle
- Phoenix to Denver
- Phoenix to Nashville
- Phoenix to Atlanta
- Phoenix to Miami
- Phoenix to Boston
- Phoenix to Las Vegas
- Phoenix to Orlando
- Phoenix to Tampa
- Phoenix to Raleigh
More moves to Dallas
- New York to Dallas
- Los Angeles to Dallas
- Chicago to Dallas
- Houston to Dallas
- Philadelphia to Dallas
- San Diego to Dallas
- Austin to Dallas
- Charlotte to Dallas
- San Francisco to Dallas
- Seattle to Dallas
- Denver to Dallas
- Nashville to Dallas
- Atlanta to Dallas
- Miami to Dallas
- Boston to Dallas
- Las Vegas to Dallas
- Orlando to Dallas
- Tampa to Dallas
- Raleigh to Dallas