Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 574 miles, a gas price of $4.086 and a diesel price of $6.124 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 | 36 | $147 | $172 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 52 | $213 | $251 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 64 | $261 | $307 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 72 | $293 | $345 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 82 | $335 | $394 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 72 | $439 | $517 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $188 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 |
| Baltimore, MD | $4.312 | $6.508 | Central Atlantic average |
Gas runs about $0.45 a gallon cheaper around Charleston, SC. Fill the tank before you leave Charleston and stretch it as far as you safely can.
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 Baltimore, MD a 2-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 Baltimore, MD 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 Washington
- Charleston to Milwaukee
- Charleston to Albuquerque
- 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 Baltimore
- New York to Baltimore
- Los Angeles to Baltimore
- Chicago to Baltimore
- Houston to Baltimore
- Phoenix to Baltimore
- Philadelphia to Baltimore
- San Diego to Baltimore
- Dallas to Baltimore
- Austin to Baltimore
- Charlotte to Baltimore
- San Francisco to Baltimore
- Seattle to Baltimore
- Denver to Baltimore
- Nashville to Baltimore
- Atlanta to Baltimore
- Miami to Baltimore
- Boston to Baltimore
- Las Vegas to Baltimore
- Orlando to Baltimore
- Tampa to Baltimore
- Raleigh to Baltimore
- San Antonio to Baltimore
- Jacksonville to Baltimore
- Columbus to Baltimore
- Indianapolis to Baltimore
- Sacramento to Baltimore
- Oklahoma City to Baltimore
- Portland to Baltimore
- Louisville to Baltimore
- Memphis to Baltimore
- Washington to Baltimore
- Milwaukee to Baltimore
- Albuquerque to Baltimore
- Tucson to Baltimore
- Kansas City to Baltimore
- Salt Lake City to Baltimore
- Minneapolis to Baltimore
- Detroit to Baltimore
- Cleveland to Baltimore
- Pittsburgh to Baltimore
- St. Louis to Baltimore
- Cincinnati to Baltimore
- New Orleans to Baltimore
- Boise to Baltimore
- Richmond to Baltimore
- Birmingham to Baltimore
- Omaha to Baltimore
- El Paso to Baltimore