Moving truck gas cost from Charleston, SC to Louisville, KY

The drive is about 586 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $261 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Midwest 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$261Likely $237 to $290

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$213save $47
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$293+$33
  • Towing a car$307+$46
  • Round trip$521+$261

586 miles at 9 MPG: 65.1 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

CharlestonLouisville

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
586 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 12 hours
Gas price used
$4.002 a gallon

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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1637$147$172
10 to 12 ft truck1153$213$251
15 to 17 ft truck965$261$307
20 to 22 ft truck873$293$345
26 ft truck784$335$394
26 ft truck (diesel)873$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

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Charleston, SC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
Louisville, KY$4.145$6.352Midwest 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.