How much est. gas would I spend driving a 14" Uhaul truck cross-country?

Question

From California to Upstate NYtotal 2,916 miles at $5 a gallon for diesel gas. I will also be pulling a trailer of my car (off the ground). I would like an idea of how much gas I'd be expected to spend, so I can plan a budget for the move. Thanks!

Answer 1

At 10MPG and $4 per gallon , $1166.40. Drive slow !

Answer 2

Did that.  Got about 9 mpg, towing a tiny Geo Metro on a 2-wheel dolly (and the Geo's own rear wheels.)   You might get worse MPG because you're towing a much heavier flatbed trailer (and I presume a heavier car).

You can take 2916 mi divided by 8 mpg and multiply by $5.

You would get vastly better mileage (and much lower Uhaul costs) if you could tow a Uhaul trailer with your car.  But that would mean shipping or getting rid of a lot of stuff.

With the big rig, slowing down will help your mileage. Probably best MPG will be at 45 since this thing has the aerodynamic drag of a barn door, and faster = lower MPG.  But as the goblins say, "Time is money, friend!"  Realistically you gotta balance fuel costs against the value of your time.  Expect this trip to take MUCH longer than how you might have driven it in an auto.   Don't expect to cruise at 75, I found 65 to be scary.

When handling a big rig like that, my secret: truck stops.  T/A, Petro, Pilot, etc. They're actually quite clean and friendly and they cater to car drivers, including those with RVs etc. that can't back up.  Which you can but not easily.

Be safe, don't drive tired, have good travels.