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Moving truck gas cost from Pittsburgh, PA to Phoenix, AZ

The drive is about 2,060 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,066 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Central Atlantic and West Coast (excluding California) 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$1,066Likely $969 to $1,185

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$873save $194
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$1,200+$133
  • Towing a car$1,255+$188
  • Round trip$2,133+$1,066

2,060 miles at 9 MPG: 228.9 gallons, $0.52 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

PittsburghPhoenix

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
2,060 miles
Driving days
5 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 37 hours
Gas price used
$4.659 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,060 miles, a gas price of $4.659 and a diesel price of $6.584 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16129$600$706
10 to 12 ft truck11187$873$1,026
15 to 17 ft truck9229$1,066$1,255
20 to 22 ft truck8258$1,200$1,411
26 ft truck7294$1,371$1,613
26 ft truck (diesel)8258$1,695$1,995

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $771 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
Phoenix, AZ$5.007$6.659West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $0.69 a gallon cheaper around Pittsburgh, PA. Fill the tank before you leave Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ to Pittsburgh, PA.

More moves from Pittsburgh

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