Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,709 miles, a gas price of $4.052 and a diesel price of $6.081 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 | 107 | $433 | $509 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 155 | $630 | $741 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 190 | $769 | $905 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 214 | $866 | $1,018 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 244 | $989 | $1,164 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 214 | $1,299 | $1,528 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $556 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 |
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
Gas runs about $0.38 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 Denver, CO 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 Denver, CO 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 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 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 Denver
- New York to Denver
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Chicago to Denver
- Houston to Denver
- Phoenix to Denver
- Philadelphia to Denver
- San Diego to Denver
- Dallas to Denver
- Austin to Denver
- Charlotte to Denver
- San Francisco to Denver
- Seattle to Denver
- Nashville to Denver
- Atlanta to Denver
- Miami to Denver
- Boston to Denver
- Las Vegas to Denver
- Orlando to Denver
- Tampa to Denver
- Raleigh to Denver
- San Antonio to Denver
- Jacksonville to Denver
- Columbus to Denver
- Indianapolis to Denver
- Sacramento to Denver
- Oklahoma City to Denver
- Portland to Denver
- Louisville to Denver
- Memphis to Denver
- Baltimore to Denver
- Washington to Denver
- Milwaukee to Denver
- Albuquerque to Denver
- Tucson to Denver
- Kansas City to Denver
- Salt Lake City to Denver
- Minneapolis to Denver
- Detroit to Denver
- Cleveland to Denver
- Pittsburgh to Denver
- St. Louis to Denver
- Cincinnati to Denver
- New Orleans to Denver
- Boise to Denver
- Richmond to Denver
- Birmingham to Denver
- Omaha to Denver
- El Paso to Denver