Moving truck gas cost from Albuquerque, NM to Charleston, SC

The drive is about 1,691 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $718 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Gulf Coast and Lower Atlantic prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026.

More options: MPG, towing
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

Fuel cost$718Likely $653 to $798

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$588save $131
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$808+$90
  • Towing a car$845+$127
  • Round trip$1,436+$718

1,691 miles at 9 MPG: 187.9 gallons, $0.42 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

AlbuquerqueCharleston

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,691 miles
Driving days
4 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 30 hours
Gas price used
$3.822 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,691 miles, a gas price of $3.822 and a diesel price of $5.822 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16106$404$475
10 to 12 ft truck11154$588$691
15 to 17 ft truck9188$718$845
20 to 22 ft truck8211$808$950
26 ft truck7242$923$1,086
26 ft truck (diesel)8211$1,231$1,448

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $519 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.

Fuel prices at each end of the move

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Albuquerque, NM$3.784$5.903Gulf Coast average
Charleston, SC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average

Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.

Weekly retail averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for the week of October 19, 2026. Prices along the way will vary. EIA source

Planning the drive

A loaded box truck is slower than a car on hills and safest at moderate speeds, and most drivers find 450 miles a comfortable day. That makes Albuquerque, NM to Charleston, SC a 4-day drive, so budget for hotel nights and meals on top of fuel. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Charleston, SC to Albuquerque, NM.