Estimate the fuel cost of your U-Haul move by truck size, distance, and gas price. U-Haul trucks are not fuel-efficient — see what you'll actually spend at the pump.
To estimate U-Haul gas costs, divide your trip distance by the truck's MPG to get gallons, then multiply by the gas price. A 26' truck gets about 8 MPG, a 10' truck about 12 MPG, and a cargo van about 18 MPG. At $3.50/gallon, a 100-mile trip in a 26' truck burns roughly 12.5 gallons — about $44 in fuel.
Pick a truck, enter your distance, and adjust the gas price
Default is the U.S. national average — edit for your local price.
* Estimate only — not an official U-Haul quote. Actual charges vary by location, date, and demand.
Rates last verified March 2026. Figures are based on U-Haul's advertised rates and the one-way quotes we collected for major routes. The default gas price is editable and reflects the U.S. national average — actual U-Haul charges vary by location, date, and demand.
Common questions about U-Haul costs and this calculator
| Truck Size | MPG | Tank |
|---|---|---|
| 8' Pickup | 19 MPG | 26 gal |
| 9' Cargo Van | 18 MPG | 25 gal |
| 10' Box Truck | 12 MPG | 31 gal |
| 15' Box Truck | 10 MPG | 40 gal |
| 20' Box Truck | 10 MPG | 55 gal |
| 26' Box Truck | 8 MPG | 60 gal |
Loading the truck, headwinds, hills, and city driving all lower these numbers, so treat them as a best case.
Gas cost = (trip miles ÷ truck MPG) × price per gallon. At a $3.50/gallon national average, a 50-mile local move in a 15' truck (10 MPG) burns about 5 gallons, or roughly $18. A 500-mile one-way move in a 26' truck (8 MPG) burns about 62 gallons — around $220 in fuel alone. Fuel is on top of your rental and mileage charges.
No. U-Haul rentals never include fuel. You pick the truck up with a set amount of gas and must return it at the same level, or U-Haul charges an EZ-Fuel fee plus roughly $4.50+ per gallon to refill it — far more than a gas station. Always refuel yourself before returning the truck.
Often not. Once you add the base rate, mileage fees, insurance, and gas, a DIY U-Haul can rival the cost of hiring a local mover who brings their own truck — with no driving, loading, or refueling on you. Post your move on Laborhutt to compare real quotes against your DIY estimate.
Local movers on Laborhutt bring their own truck and do the heavy lifting — mileage and fuel are built into one upfront quote. Often cheaper than a DIY U-Haul.
Get Free QuotesDisclaimer: This tool provides estimates, not official U-Haul quotes. Actual charges vary by location, date, demand, and U-Haul store policies. U-Haul is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. This site is not affiliated.