Estimate your fuel costs based on truck mileage and fuel consumption.
Estimated Fuel Cost
$0.00
Understanding Your U-Haul Fuel Costs
When renting a U-Haul truck for a move, understanding your potential fuel expenses is crucial for budgeting. U-Haul trucks, especially larger ones, are not known for their fuel efficiency. This calculator helps you estimate the cost of fuel for your trip.
How the Calculation Works
The calculation is straightforward and involves a few key metrics:
Distance Traveled: The total number of miles you anticipate driving the U-Haul truck. This includes driving to your destination, returning the truck, and any local driving during your move.
Truck's Miles Per Gallon (MPG): This is an estimate of how many miles the specific U-Haul truck model you are renting can travel on one gallon of fuel. U-Haul provides MPG estimates for their trucks, which can vary significantly by size and model. It's often lower than typical passenger cars.
Fuel Price Per Gallon: The current average price of gasoline in the area you'll be refueling. This can fluctuate, so it's best to check local prices.
The formula used is:
Total Fuel Cost = (Distance Traveled / Miles Per Gallon) * Fuel Price Per Gallon
Let's break down the formula:
Gallons Needed = Distance Traveled / Miles Per Gallon: This first step determines the total number of gallons of fuel required for your trip.
Total Fuel Cost = Gallons Needed * Fuel Price Per Gallon: This second step multiplies the total gallons needed by the cost of each gallon to arrive at your estimated fuel expense.
Why Use This Calculator?
Accurate Budgeting: Avoid surprises by having a realistic estimate of a significant moving expense.
Informed Decisions: Compare the cost of different truck sizes. A larger truck might seem more convenient, but its lower MPG could lead to higher overall fuel costs.
Planning Refueling Stops: Knowing your approximate fuel consumption can help you plan where and when to refuel, especially on longer trips.
Example Calculation
Let's say you're planning a move and estimate the following:
Distance Traveled: 300 miles
Truck's MPG: 9 MPG (a common estimate for larger U-Haul trucks)
Fuel Price Per Gallon: $3.75
First, calculate the gallons needed: 300 miles / 9 MPG = 33.33 gallons
Then, calculate the total fuel cost: 33.33 gallons * $3.75/gallon = $125.00
In this scenario, you could expect to spend approximately $125.00 on fuel for your move.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate. Actual fuel costs may vary based on driving conditions, speed, load weight, terrain, and fluctuations in fuel prices. Always refer to U-Haul's official website or rental associate for specific truck MPG information.
function calculateFuelCost() {
var distanceTraveledInput = document.getElementById("distanceTraveled");
var milesPerGallonInput = document.getElementById("milesPerGallon");
var fuelPricePerGallonInput = document.getElementById("fuelPricePerGallon");
var resultValueElement = document.getElementById("result-value");
var distanceTraveled = parseFloat(distanceTraveledInput.value);
var milesPerGallon = parseFloat(milesPerGallonInput.value);
var fuelPricePerGallon = parseFloat(fuelPricePerGallonInput.value);
// Input validation
if (isNaN(distanceTraveled) || distanceTraveled <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid positive number for distance traveled.");
distanceTraveledInput.focus();
return;
}
if (isNaN(milesPerGallon) || milesPerGallon <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid positive number for Miles Per Gallon (MPG).");
milesPerGallonInput.focus();
return;
}
if (isNaN(fuelPricePerGallon) || fuelPricePerGallon < 0) { // Fuel price can be 0 if free, but typically positive
alert("Please enter a valid non-negative number for fuel price per gallon.");
fuelPricePerGallonInput.focus();
return;
}
var gallonsNeeded = distanceTraveled / milesPerGallon;
var totalFuelCost = gallonsNeeded * fuelPricePerGallon;
// Format the result to two decimal places for currency
resultValueElement.textContent = "$" + totalFuelCost.toFixed(2);
}