Moving truck gas cost from Charlotte, NC to Cleveland, OH

The drive is about 508 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $224 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Cleveland 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$224Likely $204 to $249

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$184save $41
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$252+$28
  • Towing a car$264+$40
  • Round trip$449+$224

508 miles at 9 MPG: 56.4 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

CharlotteCleveland

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
508 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 10 hours
Gas price used
$3.975 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 508 miles, a gas price of $3.975 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 van1632$126$148
10 to 12 ft truck1146$184$216
15 to 17 ft truck956$224$264
20 to 22 ft truck864$252$297
26 ft truck773$288$339
26 ft truck (diesel)864$384$452

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $162 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
Charlotte, NC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
Cleveland, OH$4.090$6.352Cleveland average

Gas runs about $0.23 a gallon cheaper around Charlotte, NC. Fill the tank before you leave Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC to Cleveland, OH 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 Cleveland, OH to Charlotte, NC.