What is the Gas Mileage of a U-Haul Rental Truck?

What is the MPG like in a U-Haul® truck? 

U-Haul® rental fees are reasonable for in-town moves and may seem like a good deal for out-of-state moves, too, until you add the cost of fuel. You’ll spend more money on your move each time you stop at the pump. But just how much?  

Compared to most cars’ average of 24.2 miles per gallon, moving trucks will get fewer MPG — from one-half to one-third less than cars. Learn what to expect for U-Haul fuel efficiency and U-Pack’s® alternative for moving without a rental truck. 

What you need to know about U-Haul truck gas mileage  

Average miles per gallon 

Most U-Haul trucks average 10 miles per gallon, but exact mileage will vary based on truck size, towing, driving style and the weight of your belongings.  

Type of fuel the trucks use 

All U-Haul moving truck sizes (10-26 ft) take unleaded gasoline. 

Gas tank size

Tank sizes start at 31 gallons for 10-ft trucks and increase to 40 gallons for trucks 15, 17 and 22 ft. The largest tank size is 60 gallons for 26-ft trucks.

Driving distance per tank 

You can expect around 372 miles between fill-ups for the smallest truck, about 400 miles for trucks between 15-22 ft and approximately 600 miles for the largest truck. 

Summary 

The chart below shows the average miles per gallon (according to U-Haul’s website), the tank size and miles per fuel tank for each truck. 

Note: Listed MPG and miles per fuel tank are estimated for empty trucks. A fully loaded U-Haul truck may not be as fuel efficient. 

Things that can affect gas mileage in a U-Haul 

U-Haul’s estimated MPG is figured for empty trucks, so a loaded truck typically uses more gas. Estimate the fuel cost for a move using this rental truck fuel calculator.  

Here are some other factors that can decrease fuel efficiency during a move: 

Towing

The added weight of a tow trailer decreases U-Haul gas mileage because it takes more power to move a heavier load. If you plan to tow a trailer or car carrier behind the truck, expect lower gas mileage and higher fuel costs. 

Driving style

Quick acceleration, heavy braking and using the heater or air conditioner in U-Haul trucks can affect the gas mileage.

Elevation

Driving U-Haul trucks in mountainous areas can reduce fuel economy because it must work harder to pull the load up hills.

Vehicle maintenance

Things like dirty air filters or under-inflated tires can lower fuel economy. Check with your U-Haul dealer to ensure the vehicle is in proper driving condition before hitting the road. 

Learn more about U-Haul truck rental.  

Estimated gas costs for a U-Haul 

Let’s look at examples of potential out-of-pocket fuel costs for moves with a U-Haul rental truck to help you understand how gas costs can add up during a move. These estimates are just examples, and the trucks’ actual MPG may vary depending on driving style and the weight of belongings. 

Gasoline costs are based on AAA’s average gas price of $3.40 per gallon at the time of posting using the truck’s estimated MPG according to U-Haul’s website.  

Move without driving a truck or paying extra for fuel 

With U-Pack, you can often move cheaper than renting a U-Haul — without the hassle of driving the truck. Get a free, no-obligation quote online today to compare costs for your move. 

For more information about how to move without a rental truck, leave us a comment below or call U-Pack at 844-362-5303844-594-3077. 

U-Haul® is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third party.