Fuel range and fuel stop planner
Enter your tank size, how full it is, your mpg and the reserve you like to keep. You get miles to empty, miles to reserve and the mile to plan your stop by.
By Gustavo · Updated October 2026
PLAN YOUR STOP BY
- Miles to reserve
- 390
- Miles to empty
- 585
We plan routes with fuel stops in mind, and you approve every load before it's booked.
How it is calculated
- Gallons on board = tank capacity x current level.
- Reserve = tank capacity x reserve %.
- Miles to empty = gallons on board x mpg.
- Miles to reserve = (gallons on board - reserve) x mpg.
- Plan by = 90% of miles to reserve, so you have room to choose a stop.
Worked example
EXAMPLE
- 150 gal tank at 60%
- 90 gal
- Reserve 20%
- 30 gal
- Miles to reserve at 6.5 mpg
- 390
- Miles to empty
- 585
If your next truck stop with parking is at mile 330 and the one after is at mile 410, take the one at 330. Running into the reserve to save a few cents a gallon is a bad trade on a cold night.
Semi truck fuel range: what cuts it
- Weight. A heavy load can cost one or two mpg.
- Speed. Fuel use rises fast above about 65 mph.
- Terrain and wind. Mountains and headwinds cut range.
- Idling. An hour of idle burns fuel without moving.
- Reefer. Reefer fuel often comes from its own tank; check yours.
Planning fuel stops
Plan stops for price, parking and timing, not just range. Fuel prices differ between states, often because of fuel taxes. Your IFTA return settles the tax later, so the pump price is what counts today. Pair this planner with the trip fuel cost calculator to see the whole trip's fuel bill.
Range by equipment
| Rig | Typical fuel | Rough range |
|---|---|---|
| Tractor, two tanks | 200 to 300 gal | 1,200 to 2,100 mi |
| 26 ft box truck | about 50 to 70 gal | 400 to 700 mi |
| Pickup hotshot, factory tank | 30 to 50 gal | 300 to 700 mi |
| Pickup with auxiliary tank | 80 to 100 gal | 800 to 1,300 mi |
Use your own fuel card history for mpg. A month of receipts tells you more than any chart.
Winter and remote routes
Diesel can gel in deep cold, so treated winter blends and a fuller tank matter more in January than in July. On routes through the mountain West or long stretches with few stations, plan stops before you need them and keep more reserve than usual. Set the reserve in the planner to 30% or more for those trips.
Good and bad results
Plenty of range for the trip: plan one stop for price and parking. Tight range: fuel before the long empty stretch, not after. In remote areas, fuel at half a tank when you can.
Fuel stops in the load plan
When we bring you a load, we look at the route, timing and where you can fuel and park. You approve every load, and the broker sends the rate confirmation straight to you. See rates and fees, or plan your first year with the hotshot trucking business plan template.
Questions about this calculator
Q01How far can a semi truck go on a full tank?
Many tractors carry 200 to 300 gallons across two tanks. At 6 to 7 mpg, that's roughly 1,200 to 2,100 miles. Your own tank size and loaded mpg give the real number.
Q02How far can a semi truck go on a tank of gas?
Semi trucks run on diesel, not gasoline. On diesel, a full set of tanks commonly covers well over 1,000 miles. Heavy loads, hills, wind and idling cut that range.
Q03What is semi truck fuel range with one tank?
Half the total if the two tanks are the same size, since most trucks draw from both through a crossover line. Check your truck's setup.
Q04How much fuel reserve should I keep?
Many drivers plan to stop at a quarter tank, and never let it go below that in winter or in remote areas. The default here is 20%.
Q05How far can a pickup hotshot go on a tank?
Factory pickup tanks often hold around 30 to 50 gallons. At 10 to 14 mpg loaded, that's roughly 300 to 700 miles. Many hotshots add an auxiliary tank.