Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA Moving Truck Gas Cost

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 742 miles, a gas price of $3.822 and a diesel price of $5.822 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	46	$177	$209
10 to 12 ft truck	11	67	$258	$303
15 to 17 ft truck	9	82	$315	$371
20 to 22 ft truck	8	93	$354	$417
26 ft truck	7	106	$405	$477
26 ft truck (diesel)	8	93	$540	$635

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $228 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
New Orleans, LA	$3.784	$5.903	Gulf Coast 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 New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, LA to Charleston, SC.

Moving truck gas cost from Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA