San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA Moving Truck Gas Cost

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 382 miles, a gas price of $6.011 and a diesel price of $8.242 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

Truck	MPG	Gallons	Fuel cost	Towing a car
Cargo van	16	24	$144	$169
10 to 12 ft truck	11	35	$209	$246
15 to 17 ft truck	9	42	$255	$300
20 to 22 ft truck	8	48	$287	$338
26 ft truck	7	55	$328	$386
26 ft truck (diesel)	8	48	$394	$463

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $185 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.

Fuel prices at each end of the move

Where	Gas	Diesel	Price basis
San Francisco, CA	$6.001	$8.242	San Francisco average
Los Angeles, CA	$6.021	$8.242	Los Angeles 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 San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA.

Moving truck gas cost from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Adjust the numbers for your move