Moving truck gas cost from Charleston, SC to Boston, MA

The drive is about 974 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $439 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Boston 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$439Likely $399 to $488

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$359save $80
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$494+$55
  • Towing a car$516+$77
  • Round trip$878+$439

974 miles at 9 MPG: 108.2 gallons, $0.45 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

CharlestonBoston

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
974 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 19 hours
Gas price used
$4.055 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 974 miles, a gas price of $4.055 and a diesel price of $6.105 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1661$247$290
10 to 12 ft truck1189$359$422
15 to 17 ft truck9108$439$516
20 to 22 ft truck8122$494$581
26 ft truck7139$564$664
26 ft truck (diesel)8122$743$874

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $317 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
Charleston, SC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
Boston, MA$4.249$6.470Boston average

Gas runs about $0.39 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 Boston, MA a 3-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 Boston, MA to Charleston, SC.