Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,832 miles, a gas price of $4.991 and a diesel price of $6.991 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 | 177 | $883 | $1,039 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 257 | $1,285 | $1,512 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 315 | $1,571 | $1,848 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 354 | $1,767 | $2,079 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 405 | $2,019 | $2,376 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 354 | $2,475 | $2,912 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $1,136 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 |
| San Francisco, CA | $6.001 | $8.242 | San Francisco average |
Gas runs about $2.02 a gallon cheaper around Tampa, FL. Fill the tank before you leave Tampa 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 Tampa, FL to San Francisco, CA 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 San Francisco, CA 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 Dallas
- Tampa to Austin
- Tampa to Charlotte
- 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 San Francisco
- New York to San Francisco
- Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Chicago to San Francisco
- Houston to San Francisco
- Phoenix to San Francisco
- Philadelphia to San Francisco
- San Diego to San Francisco
- Dallas to San Francisco
- Austin to San Francisco
- Charlotte to San Francisco
- Seattle to San Francisco
- Denver to San Francisco
- Nashville to San Francisco
- Atlanta to San Francisco
- Miami to San Francisco
- Boston to San Francisco
- Las Vegas to San Francisco
- Orlando to San Francisco
- Raleigh to San Francisco