Moving truck gas cost from San Antonio, TX to Milwaukee, WI

The drive is about 1,281 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $559 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Texas and Midwest 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$559Likely $508 to $621

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$457save $102
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$628+$70
  • Towing a car$657+$99
  • Round trip$1,117+$559

1,281 miles at 9 MPG: 142.3 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

San AntonioMilwaukee

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,281 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 24 hours
Gas price used
$3.925 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,281 miles, a gas price of $3.925 and a diesel price of $6.127 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1680$314$370
10 to 12 ft truck11116$457$538
15 to 17 ft truck9142$559$657
20 to 22 ft truck8160$628$739
26 ft truck7183$718$845
26 ft truck (diesel)8160$981$1,154

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $404 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
San Antonio, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average
Milwaukee, WI$4.145$6.352Midwest average

Gas runs about $0.44 a gallon cheaper around San Antonio, TX. Fill the tank before you leave San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX to Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI to San Antonio, TX.