Moving Truck Gas Mileage Guide: MPG & Fuel Costs

Average Moving Truck Gas Mileage

Knowing your expected gas mileage helps you budget accurately for your trip. Different moving vehicles burn fuel at different rates based on their size and how much weight they carry. Here are the typical fuel efficiency ranges based on the type of van or truck you're driving:

• Cargo vans: A standard cargo van averages around 18 miles per gallon. These vehicles are perfect for local studio apartment moves or quick college dorm cleanouts.
• 10-foot trucks: These small box trucks typically get about 12 miles per gallon. They offer a balance between generous cargo capacity and decent fuel economy.
• 15-foot to 20-foot trucks: Once you move up to medium trucks, your average drops to around 10 miles per gallon. The weight of a fully loaded 2-bedroom house forces the engine to work harder and burn more fuel.
• 26-foot trucks: The largest rental trucks also average around 10 miles per gallon. Hitting the open highway and setting your cruise control can sometimes improve your efficiency compared to stop-and-go city traffic, though.

You can also take advantage of specific design features built into most rental fleets to help squeeze more miles out of every tank:

• Sleek Designs: You'll notice rounded corners on the boxes; these help the truck cut through the wind and reduce drag.
• Lower Decks: By keeping the truck closer to the ground, there's less wind resistance to fight against.
• Smart Gauges: Many cabs have built-in monitors that show you exactly how to adjust your speed to get the best mileage.
• Balanced Handling: If you use proper weight distribution, it keeps the truck stable so the engine doesn't have to fight against uneven momentum.

What Gas Does a Moving Truck Use?

Generally, companies equip their standard fleets with unleaded engines, while others might provide diesel engines for their larger 26-foot models. You should always check the fuel label located directly near the gas tank cap before you start pumping.

Using the wrong fuel will severely damage the engine. If possible for your move, you should choose an unleaded truck, since it often saves you money. Regular gas generally costs less than diesel.

Moving Truck Gas Cost Calculator

To figure out your fuel budget, you can use a very simple equation: Fuel cost = (Trip distance / Truck mpg) x Gas price.

For example, let's say you are moving 500 miles in a 15-foot vehicle that gets 10 miles per gallon. With the current national average gas price sitting at $3.84 per gallon, here is how the math works out:

500 miles / 10 mpg = 50 gallons of gas
50 gallons x $3.84 = $192 estimated fuel cost

To give you a better idea of what different trips might cost, we put together a few standard moving distances using that same math. We assigned a realistic truck size for each route to show how your MPG changes based on your needs.

*Based on a national average fuel cost of $3.84 from https://gasprices.aaa.com/.

Those are great baselines, but what about actual city-to-city trips? A drive from Seattle to Boise covers about 500 miles and would cost roughly $192 in gas for a standard medium-sized truck. Here are a few more real-world routes to give you a clearer picture:

How Far Can a Moving Truck Go on One Tank of Gas?

Most fully loaded rental trucks can travel roughly 300 to 400 miles on a single tank of gas. The range depends heavily on your specific vehicle size and fuel capacity.

To help you plan your travel day, here is the typical number of gas stops you should expect for various trip lengths:

• 300 miles: You probably will not need to stop at all, or maybe just once right before returning the truck.
• 800 miles: Plan to fill up two or three times along your route.
• 1,500 miles: Expect to make around four or five stops at the pump.

Different rental companies have varying specifications, but this table breaks down the typical mileage capacity for standard truck sizes.

Rental Truck Gas Policies and Fuel Economy

Simply put, fuel economy measures how many miles a truck can travel on a single gallon of gas, and vehicles with better fuel economy can save you money at the pump. Since every company has different vehicle fleets, comparing your options is a smart first step.

In addition to different fuel efficiencies in their fleets, all companies have some kind of refueling policy that requires you to return the tank full or at the same level as when you left. We recommend you take a quick picture of the dashboard gas gauge the second you sit in the driver's seat. Because rental trucks rarely leave the lot with a perfectly full tank, having a timestamped photo on your phone ensures you know what fuel level you need to hit before returning the truck.

You can dive deeper into truck company rules about refueling before return in our comparisons of Budget vs. U-Haul, see if Penske is a cheaper alternative to U-Haul, or browse our guide to the cheapest moving trucks.

U-Haul Gas Policy

The U-Haul gas policy basically says that when you pick up your vehicle, your contract notes the fuel level and requires you to bring the truck back with the same amount of gas.

If you return it with less fuel, U-Haul charges you for the missing fuel plus a hefty convenience fee. To avoid surprise charges, simply refill the tank right before you drop off the keys. For a complete breakdown of potential fees, check out our guide on how much a U-Haul really costs.

What Gas Does U-Haul Take?

Most U-Haul trucks take standard unleaded gasoline. To help you maximize your miles per gallon, U-Haul equips many of its trucks with special Trimline fuel-saving features designed to give you the best driving experience and help save you money.

You will also find a handy fuel economy gauge on the dashboard inside the cab of some trucks. This indicator lets you determine which driving speed yields the best possible MPG for your trip.

Penske Gas Policy

Penske keeps their gas policy incredibly simple: return your truck with a full tank of fuel.

When you first pick up the truck, check the gauge before you drive away. If the tank is not completely full, ask the agent to top it off so you do not pay for gas you never used. Leaving the tank less than full will result in extra charges. You can read more about their specific requirements in our Penske prices and reviews guide.

What Gas Does Penske Take?

Penske cargo vans and smaller box trucks use standard unleaded gasoline. However, their larger 22-foot and 26-foot commercial trucks require diesel fuel.

While you will not find the specific U-Haul Trimline gauge in a Penske truck, the company still prioritizes fuel efficiency. They outfit their fleet with aerodynamic cab designs and low-rolling resistance tires to help you save money on gas. Always check the sticker near the fuel cap to ensure you pump the correct fuel type.

Budget Gas Policy

Budget Truck Rental expects you to return the vehicle with the same fuel level it had at pickup. They usually provide trucks with a full tank of gas.

You always have the option to refuel the vehicle yourself to save money. If you choose this route, Budget requests that you bring your gas receipt to the drop-off location to confirm the vehicle was filled within 5 kilometers of the rental location. Doing this allows them to remove any refueling service fees.

What Gas Does Budget Truck Rental Take?

Budget cargo vans and smaller moving trucks take standard unleaded fuel. Similar to Penske, their larger 26-foot moving trucks run on diesel.

Although Budget trucks lack the specific dashboard gauges found in the U-Haul fleet, you can still maximize your fuel economy by driving smoothly and avoiding sudden stops. Check your rental agreement and the label on the gas tank to confirm your fuel type before you pull up to the pump.

12 Ways to Save Money on Your Rental Truck Gas

You cannot do much about the current price of fuel, but you can definitely take steps to reduce how much you use during your trip. If you are planning a DIY move, here are our favorite proven tactics to help you save money.

1. Reduce Your Load to Improve Moving Truck Gas Mileage

The less you pack, the lighter your truck will be, and the less fuel it will burn along the way. And, moving is a great excuse to declutter since you'll be going through all your stuff when packing. If you are on the fence about keeping a heavy piece of furniture, remember that selling or donating it before you leave saves you money at the pump.

2. Plan the Most Fuel-Efficient Route for Your Move

Before you hit the road, map out your journey to find the most direct path. Taking the scenic route or getting stuck in major city rush hour traffic will quickly drain your tank. Use navigation apps to select eco-friendly routes that bypass heavy congestion and save you both time and money.

3. Time Your Move and Refueling

If your schedule is flexible, try to buy your gas on a Monday or Tuesday, which are historically the cheapest days of the week for fuel. Additionally, consider that moving midweek can often secure you a lower mileage rate from the rental company than the high-demand weekend rates.

4. Rent a Newer Moving Truck for Better Gas Mileage

Newer trucks feature updated engines and better overall fuel mileage, so when you make your reservation, simply ask the company if they can provide one of their newest models.

Penske has a reputation for having newer, better-maintained trucks than the other companies. And while Penske can be noticeably pricier for short moves, they're price-competitive for long hauls. Add in the gas savings, and the difference could be significant.

5. Load Your Moving Truck Properly to Reduce Fuel Use

The weight of your stuff isn't the only thing affecting your truck's gas mileage — the way it's loaded matters, too. A balanced load is a stable load, meaning your truck doesn't have to fight against excess momentum and gravity.

To get better mileage, keep the heavy core of your load in the middle of the truck, which is closer to the cab. If you're not sure you'd be any good at playing furniture Tetris, professional hourly movers have this process down to an art.

6. Check Tire Pressure Before Your Trip

Before you drive off the rental lot, take a few minutes to verify the tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which means the engine has to work much harder just to move the truck forward. This extra effort directly lowers your fuel efficiency. Keeping the tires properly inflated ensures a smoother, safer ride while maximizing every drop of gas.

7. Drive Smoothly to Improve Moving Truck Fuel Efficiency

Driving a large truck feels different than a car, so you want to take it easy on the pedals. Stomping on the gas to beat a light burns through fuel much faster than normal driving. Practice anticipatory driving by looking far ahead and coasting toward red lights rather than staying on the gas until the last second.

8. Maintain a Steady Highway Speed to Maximize MPG

While it is tempting to speed up and get the drive over with, large moving trucks rapidly lose fuel efficiency above 65 mph. Once you are on the highway, use your cruise control to maintain a steady, moderate pace, so your engine operates at its best.

9. Build Momentum Before Hills

If you see an incline coming, safely build up a little extra speed before you start the climb. This prevents the engine from having to downshift and work twice as hard to pull your load up the hill. Using the truck's momentum this way is more efficient than stomping on the gas once you are already halfway up the slope.

10. Use Air Conditioning Strategically to Reduce Fuel Consumption

We always recommend rolling down the windows to cool down when you are driving through town to save gas. However, once you hit the highway, go ahead and turn the A/C back on! At high speeds, open windows create wind drag that hurts your fuel efficiency worse than the air conditioner does.

11. Avoid Idling Your Moving Truck

Leaving the engine running while you are parked is one of the fastest ways to waste fuel. Whether you are grabbing a quick snack at a rest stop or coordinating where to park at your loading area, always turn off the truck. Idling gets zero miles per gallon, so cutting the engine keeps more money in your wallet.

12. Avoid Expensive Highway Gas Stations While Refueling

Those interstate rest stops are convenient, but stations right off the exit charge a premium for that easy access. To keep your costs low, plan your route to include stops in small towns where you can get a proper meal, check into a hotel, and fill up your gas tank all at once, where local competition keeps fuel much cheaper.

You can easily spot these deals using apps like Google Maps or Waze to filter crowdsourced prices along your route. Downloading an app like GasBuddy before your trip is another great move, as it works across the US to help you find the cheapest gas stations nearby.