Moving truck gas cost from Charleston, SC to Richmond, VA

The drive is about 423 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $181 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Lower Atlantic 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$181Likely $165 to $202

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$148save $33
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$204+$23
  • Towing a car$213+$32
  • Round trip$363+$181

423 miles at 9 MPG: 47.0 gallons, $0.43 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

CharlestonRichmond

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
423 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 8 hours
Gas price used
$3.860 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 423 miles, a gas price of $3.860 and a diesel price of $5.740 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1626$102$120
10 to 12 ft truck1138$148$175
15 to 17 ft truck947$181$213
20 to 22 ft truck853$204$240
26 ft truck760$233$274
26 ft truck (diesel)853$304$357

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $131 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
Richmond, VA$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic 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 Richmond, VA a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Richmond, VA to Charleston, SC.