Moving truck gas cost from Seattle, WA to Albuquerque, NM

The drive is about 1,425 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $737 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Seattle and Gulf Coast 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$737Likely $670 to $819

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$603save $134
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$829+$92
  • Towing a car$867+$130
  • Round trip$1,474+$737

1,425 miles at 9 MPG: 158.3 gallons, $0.52 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

SeattleAlbuquerque

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,425 miles
Driving days
4 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 26 hours
Gas price used
$4.656 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,425 miles, a gas price of $4.656 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 van1689$415$488
10 to 12 ft truck11130$603$710
15 to 17 ft truck9158$737$867
20 to 22 ft truck8178$829$976
26 ft truck7204$948$1,115
26 ft truck (diesel)8178$1,119$1,316

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $533 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
Seattle, WA$5.527$6.659Seattle average
Albuquerque, NM$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average

Gas runs about $1.74 a gallon cheaper around Albuquerque, NM. Most one-way rentals are returned near Albuquerque, 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 Seattle, WA to Albuquerque, NM a 4-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 Albuquerque, NM to Seattle, WA.