Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 631 miles, a gas price of $3.955 and a diesel price of $6.046 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 | 39 | $156 | $184 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 57 | $227 | $267 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 70 | $277 | $326 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 79 | $312 | $367 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 90 | $357 | $419 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 79 | $477 | $561 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $201 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 |
| Columbus, OH | $4.049 | $6.352 | Ohio average |
Gas runs about $0.19 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 Columbus, OH 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 Columbus, OH 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 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 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 Columbus
- New York to Columbus
- Los Angeles to Columbus
- Chicago to Columbus
- Houston to Columbus
- Phoenix to Columbus
- Philadelphia to Columbus
- San Diego to Columbus
- Dallas to Columbus
- Austin to Columbus
- Charlotte to Columbus
- San Francisco to Columbus
- Seattle to Columbus
- Denver to Columbus
- Nashville to Columbus
- Atlanta to Columbus
- Miami to Columbus
- Boston to Columbus
- Las Vegas to Columbus
- Orlando to Columbus
- Tampa to Columbus
- Raleigh to Columbus
- San Antonio to Columbus
- Jacksonville to Columbus
- Indianapolis to Columbus
- Sacramento to Columbus
- Oklahoma City to Columbus
- Portland to Columbus
- Louisville to Columbus
- Memphis to Columbus
- Baltimore to Columbus
- Washington to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Albuquerque to Columbus
- Tucson to Columbus
- Kansas City to Columbus
- Salt Lake City to Columbus
- Minneapolis to Columbus
- Detroit to Columbus
- Cleveland to Columbus
- Pittsburgh to Columbus
- St. Louis to Columbus
- Cincinnati to Columbus
- New Orleans to Columbus
- Boise to Columbus
- Richmond to Columbus
- Birmingham to Columbus
- Omaha to Columbus
- El Paso to Columbus