Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 586 miles, a gas price of $4.002 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 | 37 | $147 | $172 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 53 | $213 | $251 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 65 | $261 | $307 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 73 | $293 | $345 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 84 | $335 | $394 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 73 | $443 | $521 |
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 |
| Louisville, KY | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.28 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 Louisville, KY 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 Louisville, KY 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 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 Louisville
- New York to Louisville
- Los Angeles to Louisville
- Chicago to Louisville
- Houston to Louisville
- Phoenix to Louisville
- Philadelphia to Louisville
- San Diego to Louisville
- Dallas to Louisville
- Austin to Louisville
- Charlotte to Louisville
- San Francisco to Louisville
- Seattle to Louisville
- Denver to Louisville
- Nashville to Louisville
- Atlanta to Louisville
- Miami to Louisville
- Boston to Louisville
- Las Vegas to Louisville
- Orlando to Louisville
- Tampa to Louisville
- Raleigh to Louisville
- San Antonio to Louisville
- Jacksonville to Louisville
- Columbus to Louisville
- Indianapolis to Louisville
- Sacramento to Louisville
- Oklahoma City to Louisville
- Portland to Louisville
- Memphis to Louisville
- Baltimore to Louisville
- Washington to Louisville
- Milwaukee to Louisville
- Albuquerque to Louisville
- Tucson to Louisville
- Kansas City to Louisville
- Salt Lake City to Louisville
- Minneapolis to Louisville
- Detroit to Louisville
- Cleveland to Louisville
- Pittsburgh to Louisville
- St. Louis to Louisville
- Cincinnati to Louisville
- New Orleans to Louisville
- Boise to Louisville
- Richmond to Louisville
- Birmingham to Louisville
- Omaha to Louisville
- El Paso to Louisville