Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 425 miles, a gas price of $3.955 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 | 27 | $105 | $124 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 39 | $153 | $180 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 47 | $187 | $220 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 53 | $210 | $247 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 61 | $240 | $283 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 53 | $321 | $378 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $135 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Columbus, OH | $4.049 | $6.352 | Ohio average |
Gas runs about $0.19 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 Columbus, OH a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Columbus, OH to Charlotte, NC.
More moves from Charlotte
- Charlotte to New York
- Charlotte to Los Angeles
- Charlotte to Chicago
- Charlotte to Houston
- Charlotte to Phoenix
- Charlotte to Philadelphia
- Charlotte to San Diego
- Charlotte to Dallas
- Charlotte to Austin
- Charlotte to San Francisco
- Charlotte to Seattle
- Charlotte to Denver
- Charlotte to Nashville
- Charlotte to Atlanta
- Charlotte to Miami
- Charlotte to Boston
- Charlotte to Las Vegas
- Charlotte to Orlando
- Charlotte to Tampa
- Charlotte to Raleigh
- Charlotte to San Antonio
- Charlotte to Jacksonville
- Charlotte to Indianapolis
- Charlotte to Sacramento
- Charlotte to Oklahoma City
- Charlotte to Portland
- Charlotte to Louisville
- Charlotte to Memphis
- Charlotte to Baltimore
- Charlotte to Washington
- Charlotte to Milwaukee
- Charlotte to Albuquerque
- Charlotte to Tucson
- Charlotte to Kansas City
- Charlotte to Salt Lake City
- Charlotte to Minneapolis
- Charlotte to Detroit
- Charlotte to Cleveland
- Charlotte to Pittsburgh
- Charlotte to St. Louis
- Charlotte to Cincinnati
- Charlotte to New Orleans
- Charlotte to Boise
- Charlotte to Richmond
- Charlotte to Birmingham
- Charlotte to Omaha
- Charlotte to Charleston
- Charlotte to El Paso
More moves to Columbus
- New York to Columbus
- Los Angeles to Columbus
- Chicago to Columbus
- Houston to Columbus
- Phoenix to Columbus
- Philadelphia to Columbus
- San Diego to Columbus
- Dallas to Columbus
- Austin to Columbus
- San Francisco to Columbus
- Seattle to Columbus
- Denver to Columbus
- Nashville to Columbus
- Atlanta to Columbus
- Miami to Columbus
- Boston to Columbus
- Las Vegas to Columbus
- Orlando to Columbus
- Tampa to Columbus
- Raleigh to Columbus
- San Antonio to Columbus
- Jacksonville to Columbus
- Indianapolis to Columbus
- Sacramento to Columbus
- Oklahoma City to Columbus
- Portland to Columbus
- Louisville to Columbus
- Memphis to Columbus
- Baltimore to Columbus
- Washington to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Albuquerque to Columbus
- Tucson to Columbus
- Kansas City to Columbus
- Salt Lake City to Columbus
- Minneapolis to Columbus
- Detroit to Columbus
- Cleveland to Columbus
- Pittsburgh to Columbus
- St. Louis to Columbus
- Cincinnati to Columbus
- New Orleans to Columbus
- Boise to Columbus
- Richmond to Columbus
- Birmingham to Columbus
- Omaha to Columbus
- Charleston to Columbus
- El Paso to Columbus