Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,911 miles, a gas price of $5.125 and a diesel price of $7.375 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 | 182 | $932 | $1,097 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 265 | $1,356 | $1,596 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 323 | $1,658 | $1,950 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 364 | $1,865 | $2,194 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 416 | $2,131 | $2,507 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 364 | $2,684 | $3,157 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $1,199 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 |
| New York, NY | $4.249 | $6.508 | New York average |
Gas runs about $1.75 a gallon cheaper around New York, NY. Most one-way rentals are returned near New York, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.
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 New York, NY a 7-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 New York, NY to San Francisco, CA.
More moves from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Los Angeles
- San Francisco to Chicago
- San Francisco to Houston
- San Francisco to Phoenix
- San Francisco to Philadelphia
- San Francisco to San Diego
- San Francisco to Dallas
- San Francisco to Austin
- San Francisco to Charlotte
- San Francisco to Seattle
- San Francisco to Denver
- San Francisco to Nashville
- San Francisco to Atlanta
- San Francisco to Miami
- San Francisco to Boston
- San Francisco to Las Vegas
- San Francisco to Orlando
- San Francisco to Tampa
- San Francisco to Raleigh
More moves to New York
- Los Angeles to New York
- Chicago to New York
- Houston to New York
- Phoenix to New York
- Philadelphia to New York
- San Diego to New York
- Dallas to New York
- Austin to New York
- Charlotte to New York
- Seattle to New York
- Denver to New York
- Nashville to New York
- Atlanta to New York
- Miami to New York
- Boston to New York
- Las Vegas to New York
- Orlando to New York
- Tampa to New York
- Raleigh to New York