Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,452 miles, a gas price of $4.278 and a diesel price of $6.465 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 | 91 | $388 | $457 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 132 | $565 | $664 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 161 | $690 | $812 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 182 | $776 | $913 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 207 | $887 | $1,044 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 182 | $1,173 | $1,380 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $499 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $4.312 | $6.508 | Central Atlantic average |
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
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 Pittsburgh, PA to Denver, CO a 4-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 Denver, CO to Pittsburgh, PA.
More moves from Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh to New York
- Pittsburgh to Los Angeles
- Pittsburgh to Chicago
- Pittsburgh to Houston
- Pittsburgh to Phoenix
- Pittsburgh to Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh to San Diego
- Pittsburgh to Dallas
- Pittsburgh to Austin
- Pittsburgh to Charlotte
- Pittsburgh to San Francisco
- Pittsburgh to Seattle
- Pittsburgh to Nashville
- Pittsburgh to Atlanta
- Pittsburgh to Miami
- Pittsburgh to Boston
- Pittsburgh to Las Vegas
- Pittsburgh to Orlando
- Pittsburgh to Tampa
- Pittsburgh to Raleigh
- Pittsburgh to San Antonio
- Pittsburgh to Jacksonville
- Pittsburgh to Columbus
- Pittsburgh to Indianapolis
- Pittsburgh to Sacramento
- Pittsburgh to Oklahoma City
- Pittsburgh to Portland
- Pittsburgh to Louisville
- Pittsburgh to Memphis
- Pittsburgh to Baltimore
- Pittsburgh to Washington
- Pittsburgh to Milwaukee
- Pittsburgh to Albuquerque
- Pittsburgh to Tucson
- Pittsburgh to Kansas City
- Pittsburgh to Salt Lake City
- Pittsburgh to Minneapolis
- Pittsburgh to Detroit
- Pittsburgh to Cleveland
- Pittsburgh to St. Louis
- Pittsburgh to Cincinnati
- Pittsburgh to New Orleans
- Pittsburgh to Boise
- Pittsburgh to Richmond
- Pittsburgh to Birmingham
- Pittsburgh to Omaha
- Pittsburgh to Charleston
- Pittsburgh to El Paso
More moves to Denver
- New York to Denver
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Chicago to Denver
- Houston to Denver
- Phoenix to Denver
- Philadelphia to Denver
- San Diego to Denver
- Dallas to Denver
- Austin to Denver
- Charlotte to Denver
- San Francisco to Denver
- Seattle to Denver
- Nashville to Denver
- Atlanta to Denver
- Miami to Denver
- Boston to Denver
- Las Vegas to Denver
- Orlando to Denver
- Tampa to Denver
- Raleigh to Denver
- San Antonio to Denver
- Jacksonville to Denver
- Columbus to Denver
- Indianapolis to Denver
- Sacramento to Denver
- Oklahoma City to Denver
- Portland to Denver
- Louisville to Denver
- Memphis to Denver
- Baltimore to Denver
- Washington to Denver
- Milwaukee to Denver
- Albuquerque to Denver
- Tucson to Denver
- Kansas City to Denver
- Salt Lake City to Denver
- Minneapolis to Denver
- Detroit to Denver
- Cleveland to Denver
- St. Louis to Denver
- Cincinnati to Denver
- New Orleans to Denver
- Boise to Denver
- Richmond to Denver
- Birmingham to Denver
- Omaha to Denver
- Charleston to Denver
- El Paso to Denver