Seattle, WA to Portland, OR Moving Truck Gas Cost

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 174 miles, a gas price of $5.267 and a diesel price of $6.659 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	11	$57	$67
10 to 12 ft truck	11	16	$83	$98
15 to 17 ft truck	9	19	$102	$120
20 to 22 ft truck	8	22	$115	$135
26 ft truck	7	25	$131	$154
26 ft truck (diesel)	8	22	$145	$170

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $74 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
Seattle, WA	$5.527	$6.659	Seattle average
Portland, OR	$5.007	$6.659	West Coast (excluding California) average

Gas runs about $0.52 a gallon cheaper around Portland, OR. Most one-way rentals are returned near Portland, 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 Portland, OR a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Portland, OR to Seattle, WA.

Moving truck gas cost from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR