Moving truck gas cost from Charleston, SC to Charlotte, NC

The drive is about 207 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $89 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic 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$89Likely $81 to $99

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$73save $16
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$100+$11
  • Towing a car$104+$16
  • Round trip$178+$89

207 miles at 9 MPG: 23.0 gallons, $0.43 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

CharlestonCharlotte

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
207 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 4 hours
Gas price used
$3.860 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 207 miles, a gas price of $3.860 and a diesel price of $5.740 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1613$50$59
10 to 12 ft truck1119$73$85
15 to 17 ft truck923$89$104
20 to 22 ft truck826$100$118
26 ft truck730$114$134
26 ft truck (diesel)826$149$175

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $64 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
Charlotte, NC$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 Charleston, SC to Charlotte, NC a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Charlotte, NC to Charleston, SC.