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%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 106 | $404 | $475 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 154 | $588 | $691 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 188 | $718 | $845 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 211 | $808 | $950 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 242 | $923 | $1,086 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 211 | $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
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Albuquerque, NM | $3.784 | $5.903 | Gulf Coast 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 Charleston, SC to Albuquerque, NM 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 Albuquerque, NM to Charleston, SC.
More moves from Charleston
- Charleston to New York
- Charleston to Los Angeles
- Charleston to Chicago
- Charleston to Houston
- Charleston to Phoenix
- Charleston to Philadelphia
- Charleston to San Diego
- Charleston to Dallas
- Charleston to Austin
- Charleston to Charlotte
- Charleston to San Francisco
- Charleston to Seattle
- Charleston to Denver
- Charleston to Nashville
- Charleston to Atlanta
- Charleston to Miami
- Charleston to Boston
- Charleston to Las Vegas
- Charleston to Orlando
- Charleston to Tampa
- Charleston to Raleigh
- Charleston to San Antonio
- Charleston to Jacksonville
- Charleston to Columbus
- Charleston to Indianapolis
- Charleston to Sacramento
- Charleston to Oklahoma City
- Charleston to Portland
- Charleston to Louisville
- Charleston to Memphis
- Charleston to Baltimore
- Charleston to Washington
- Charleston to Milwaukee
- Charleston to Tucson
- Charleston to Kansas City
- Charleston to Salt Lake City
- Charleston to Minneapolis
- Charleston to Detroit
- Charleston to Cleveland
- Charleston to Pittsburgh
- Charleston to St. Louis
- Charleston to Cincinnati
- Charleston to New Orleans
- Charleston to Boise
- Charleston to Richmond
- Charleston to Birmingham
- Charleston to Omaha
- Charleston to El Paso
More moves to Albuquerque
- New York to Albuquerque
- Los Angeles to Albuquerque
- Chicago to Albuquerque
- Houston to Albuquerque
- Phoenix to Albuquerque
- Philadelphia to Albuquerque
- San Diego to Albuquerque
- Dallas to Albuquerque
- Austin to Albuquerque
- Charlotte to Albuquerque
- San Francisco to Albuquerque
- Seattle to Albuquerque
- Denver to Albuquerque
- Nashville to Albuquerque
- Atlanta to Albuquerque
- Miami to Albuquerque
- Boston to Albuquerque
- Las Vegas to Albuquerque
- Orlando to Albuquerque
- Tampa to Albuquerque
- Raleigh to Albuquerque
- San Antonio to Albuquerque
- Jacksonville to Albuquerque
- Columbus to Albuquerque
- Indianapolis to Albuquerque
- Sacramento to Albuquerque
- Oklahoma City to Albuquerque
- Portland to Albuquerque
- Louisville to Albuquerque
- Memphis to Albuquerque
- Baltimore to Albuquerque
- Washington to Albuquerque
- Milwaukee to Albuquerque
- Tucson to Albuquerque
- Kansas City to Albuquerque
- Salt Lake City to Albuquerque
- Minneapolis to Albuquerque
- Detroit to Albuquerque
- Cleveland to Albuquerque
- Pittsburgh to Albuquerque
- St. Louis to Albuquerque
- Cincinnati to Albuquerque
- New Orleans to Albuquerque
- Boise to Albuquerque
- Richmond to Albuquerque
- Birmingham to Albuquerque
- Omaha to Albuquerque
- El Paso to Albuquerque