Moving truck gas cost from San Antonio, TX to Phoenix, AZ

The drive is about 981 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $475 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Texas 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$475Likely $432 to $528

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$388save $86
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$534+$59
  • Towing a car$559+$84
  • Round trip$950+$475

981 miles at 9 MPG: 109.0 gallons, $0.48 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

San AntonioPhoenix

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
981 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 16 hours
Gas price used
$4.356 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 981 miles, a gas price of $4.356 and a diesel price of $6.281 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1661$267$314
10 to 12 ft truck1189$388$457
15 to 17 ft truck9109$475$559
20 to 22 ft truck8123$534$628
26 ft truck7140$610$718
26 ft truck (diesel)8123$770$906

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $343 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
Phoenix, AZ$5.007$6.659West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $1.30 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 Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ to San Antonio, TX.