Moving truck gas cost from Pittsburgh, PA to Philadelphia, PA

The drive is about 305 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $146 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Central Atlantic and Central Atlantic prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026.

More options: MPG, towing
MPG

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

Fuel cost$146Likely $133 to $162

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$120save $27
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$164+$18
  • Towing a car$172+$26
  • Round trip$292+$146

305 miles at 9 MPG: 33.9 gallons, $0.48 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

PittsburghPhiladelphia

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
305 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 6 hours
Gas price used
$4.312 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 305 miles, a gas price of $4.312 and a diesel price of $6.508 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1619$82$97
10 to 12 ft truck1128$120$141
15 to 17 ft truck934$146$172
20 to 22 ft truck838$164$193
26 ft truck744$188$221
26 ft truck (diesel)838$248$292

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $106 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
Pittsburgh, PA$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average
Philadelphia, PA$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic 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 Philadelphia, PA a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Philadelphia, PA to Pittsburgh, PA.