Moving · Driving
Moving truck fuel cost calculator.
Pick the truck to load its tank size and U-Haul's "up to" miles per gallon, then enter the distance and the pump price.
Your drive
Fuel for the trip
Enter the distance and price.
How much does fuel cost for a moving truck?
Fuel cost = distance / miles per gallon x price per gallon. U-Haul lists its trucks at up to 12 mpg (10 ft), 10 mpg (15 ft and 20 ft) and 8 to 10 mpg (26 ft and 29 ft), and 19 and 18 mpg for the pickup and cargo van, and says those are estimates for ideal driving circumstances. Load, grade, weather and speed all change the real number, so treat it as a best case.
Worked example 1. A 15 ft truck at 10 mpg driving 300 miles one way uses 300 / 10 = 30 US gallons. At 4.00 per US gallon that is 120.00, or 0.40 per mile. The 40 gallon tank covers about 400 miles at that mpg, so you need 1 fill-up.
Worked example 2. A 10 ft truck at 12 mpg, 500 km each way driven as a round trip (1,000 km in all; enter 500 and tick Round trip): 500 km is 310.69 mi, doubled to 621.37 mi, which uses 51.78 US gal (196.01 L). At 1.80 per litre that is 352.82.
Conversions used: 1 mile = 1.609344 km and 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L. The tool uses US gallons because U-Haul quotes mpg that way.
Frequently asked questions
How much gas does a U-Haul use?
U-Haul lists its 15 ft truck at up to 10 mpg with a 40 gallon tank, the 10 ft at up to 12 mpg with a 31 gallon tank, and the 26 ft at 8 to 10 mpg with a 60 gallon tank. These are best-case estimates.
Which fuel do the trucks use?
U-Haul states that its trucks use unleaded fuel, not diesel.
Why is my real mpg lower than the listed figure?
The figures are for ideal conditions. Loaded weight, hills, headwinds, speed and towing all lower it. Lower the mpg box to see a realistic cost.
Are fuel and mileage charges separate from the rental?
Often. Mileage fees and rental price are quoted by the rental company; this tool only covers the fuel you buy.
Sources
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Scope
Fuel economy figures are U-Haul's "up to" estimates for ideal driving, not guaranteed results. Prices are what you type in. Planning aid, not professional, legal or financial advice.