PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Raleigh, NC to San Diego, CA

The drive is about 2,568 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $1,411 at this week’s prices.

RaleighSan Diego

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
2,568 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 45 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
6 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$4.946 a gallon

Adjust the numbers for your move

miles
Trip
MPG

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

$/ gallon

Starts halfway between Lower Atlantic and California prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$1,411.26
Gallons285.3
Per mile$0.55

2,568 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 2,568 miles, a gas price of $4.946 and a diesel price of $6.991 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16161$794$934
10 to 12 ft truck11233$1,155$1,358
15 to 17 ft truck9285$1,411$1,660
20 to 22 ft truck8321$1,588$1,868
26 ft truck7367$1,814$2,135
26 ft truck (diesel)8321$2,244$2,640

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $1,021 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
Raleigh, NC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
San Diego, CA$6.031$8.242California average

Gas runs about $2.17 a gallon cheaper around Raleigh, NC. Fill the tank before you leave Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC to San Diego, CA a 6-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 San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC.