A professional finance and logistics expert ensuring the accuracy of complex travel cost estimates.
Moving can be stressful, but estimating your gas cost shouldn’t be. Use the U-Haul Gas Calculator to quickly determine the total fuel expense for your rental truck, factoring in trip distance, the truck’s fuel efficiency (MPG), and current gas prices.
U-Haul Gas Cost Calculator
Distance must be a positive number.
MPG must be a positive number.
Gas Price must be a positive number.
U-Haul Gas Cost Formula
The U-Haul gas calculator uses a simple two-step equation to determine the estimated fuel cost for your entire trip.
Formula Source: EIA – Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, U-Haul Fuel Efficiency Guidelines
Variables
This calculator requires three main inputs to provide an accurate estimate:
- Total Trip Distance (Miles): The total length of your journey from pickup to drop-off.
- Truck’s Estimated MPG (Miles per Gallon): This is highly variable based on truck size (e.g., 10ft truck vs. 26ft truck) and load weight. You should use the manufacturer’s or rental company’s estimate.
- Average Gas Price ($ per Gallon): The current or estimated average price you expect to pay for fuel along your route.
Related Calculators
You may find these other moving and travel cost calculators useful:
- Moving Truck Rental Comparison Tool
- Prorated Rent Calculator
- Road Trip Mileage Tracker
- Average MPG Calculator
What is the U-Haul Gas Cost Calculator?
The U-Haul Gas Cost Calculator is an essential tool for anyone planning a move with a rented truck. Since gas consumption is often the single largest variable cost after the rental fee itself, accurately budgeting for fuel is critical for financial planning. This calculator helps users avoid unexpected moving expenses by providing a realistic estimate based on the truck’s known fuel efficiency and the expected cost of gas.
U-Haul trucks, especially larger models (17 ft and above), have significantly lower MPG than standard passenger vehicles, often ranging from 8 to 12 MPG. This low efficiency, coupled with long-distance moves, can result in fuel costs running into hundreds of dollars. By using this calculator, you can allocate the necessary funds upfront, contributing to a smoother and more transparent moving budget.
How to Calculate U-Haul Gas Cost (Example)
Let’s walk through an example calculation:
- Determine Inputs:
- Total Trip Distance: 750 Miles
- Truck’s Estimated MPG: 10 MPG
- Average Gas Price: $3.20 per Gallon
- Calculate Gallons Needed: $$\text{Gallons Needed} = 750 \text{ Miles} / 10 \text{ MPG} = 75 \text{ Gallons}$$
- Calculate Total Gas Cost: $$\text{Total Gas Cost} = 75 \text{ Gallons} \times \$3.20/\text{Gallon} = \$240.00$$
- Final Result: The estimated total gas cost for the trip is $240.00.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Larger trucks, such as the 26-foot model, are heavier and have less aerodynamic profiles, resulting in lower fuel efficiency (typically 8-10 MPG). Smaller vans and 10-foot trucks generally offer slightly better MPG (12-15 MPG), but the final number heavily depends on load weight and driving conditions.
You should use the *average* price you expect to pay along your route. Gas prices fluctuate significantly across states. If you are driving a long distance, it is best to research the average gas prices in the states you will be traveling through.
The calculator provides an estimate. Real-world consumption can vary due to factors like mountainous terrain, heavy head winds, excessive speed, and the actual weight of your cargo. Always budget a contingency fund (e.g., 10-15%) for unexpected fuel variations.
Yes. U-Haul requires you to return the truck with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up (usually full or near-full). Failure to do so results in a surcharge for the fuel plus a service fee, which is significantly more expensive than refilling it yourself.