Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,052 miles, a gas price of $4.576 and a diesel price of $6.506 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 | 128 | $587 | $690 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 187 | $854 | $1,004 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 228 | $1,043 | $1,227 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 257 | $1,174 | $1,381 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 293 | $1,341 | $1,578 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 257 | $1,669 | $1,963 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $755 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| Portland, OR | $5.007 | $6.659 | West Coast (excluding California) average |
Gas runs about $0.86 a gallon cheaper around St. Louis, MO. Fill the tank before you leave St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO to Portland, OR a 5-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 Portland, OR to St. Louis, MO.
More moves from St. Louis
- St. Louis to New York
- St. Louis to Los Angeles
- St. Louis to Chicago
- St. Louis to Houston
- St. Louis to Phoenix
- St. Louis to Philadelphia
- St. Louis to San Diego
- St. Louis to Dallas
- St. Louis to Austin
- St. Louis to Charlotte
- St. Louis to San Francisco
- St. Louis to Seattle
- St. Louis to Denver
- St. Louis to Nashville
- St. Louis to Atlanta
- St. Louis to Miami
- St. Louis to Boston
- St. Louis to Las Vegas
- St. Louis to Orlando
- St. Louis to Tampa
- St. Louis to Raleigh
- St. Louis to San Antonio
- St. Louis to Jacksonville
- St. Louis to Columbus
- St. Louis to Indianapolis
- St. Louis to Sacramento
- St. Louis to Oklahoma City
- St. Louis to Louisville
- St. Louis to Memphis
- St. Louis to Baltimore
- St. Louis to Washington
- St. Louis to Milwaukee
- St. Louis to Albuquerque
- St. Louis to Tucson
- St. Louis to Kansas City
- St. Louis to Salt Lake City
- St. Louis to Minneapolis
- St. Louis to Detroit
- St. Louis to Cleveland
- St. Louis to Pittsburgh
- St. Louis to Cincinnati
- St. Louis to New Orleans
- St. Louis to Boise
- St. Louis to Richmond
- St. Louis to Birmingham
- St. Louis to Omaha
- St. Louis to Charleston
- St. Louis to El Paso
More moves to Portland
- New York to Portland
- Los Angeles to Portland
- Chicago to Portland
- Houston to Portland
- Phoenix to Portland
- Philadelphia to Portland
- San Diego to Portland
- Dallas to Portland
- Austin to Portland
- Charlotte to Portland
- San Francisco to Portland
- Seattle to Portland
- Denver to Portland
- Nashville to Portland
- Atlanta to Portland
- Miami to Portland
- Boston to Portland
- Las Vegas to Portland
- Orlando to Portland
- Tampa to Portland
- Raleigh to Portland
- San Antonio to Portland
- Jacksonville to Portland
- Columbus to Portland
- Indianapolis to Portland
- Sacramento to Portland
- Oklahoma City to Portland
- Louisville to Portland
- Memphis to Portland
- Baltimore to Portland
- Washington to Portland
- Milwaukee to Portland
- Albuquerque to Portland
- Tucson to Portland
- Kansas City to Portland
- Salt Lake City to Portland
- Minneapolis to Portland
- Detroit to Portland
- Cleveland to Portland
- Pittsburgh to Portland
- Cincinnati to Portland
- New Orleans to Portland
- Boise to Portland
- Richmond to Portland
- Birmingham to Portland
- Omaha to Portland
- Charleston to Portland
- El Paso to Portland