Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,102 miles, a gas price of $3.843 and a diesel price of $5.822 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 | 69 | $265 | $311 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 100 | $385 | $453 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 122 | $471 | $554 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 138 | $529 | $623 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 157 | $605 | $712 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 138 | $802 | $944 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $340 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa, FL | $3.981 | $5.740 | Florida average |
| Dallas, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
Gas runs about $0.28 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Most one-way rentals are returned near Dallas, 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 Tampa, FL to Dallas, TX a 3-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 Dallas, TX to Tampa, FL.
More moves from Tampa
- Tampa to New York
- Tampa to Los Angeles
- Tampa to Chicago
- Tampa to Houston
- Tampa to Phoenix
- Tampa to Philadelphia
- Tampa to San Diego
- Tampa to Austin
- Tampa to Charlotte
- Tampa to San Francisco
- Tampa to Seattle
- Tampa to Denver
- Tampa to Nashville
- Tampa to Atlanta
- Tampa to Miami
- Tampa to Boston
- Tampa to Las Vegas
- Tampa to Orlando
- Tampa to Raleigh
More moves to Dallas
- New York to Dallas
- Los Angeles to Dallas
- Chicago to Dallas
- Houston to Dallas
- Phoenix to Dallas
- Philadelphia to Dallas
- San Diego to Dallas
- Austin to Dallas
- Charlotte to Dallas
- San Francisco to Dallas
- Seattle to Dallas
- Denver to Dallas
- Nashville to Dallas
- Atlanta to Dallas
- Miami to Dallas
- Boston to Dallas
- Las Vegas to Dallas
- Orlando to Dallas
- Raleigh to Dallas