Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 960 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%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 60 | $240 | $282 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 87 | $349 | $411 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 107 | $427 | $502 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 120 | $480 | $565 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 137 | $549 | $646 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 120 | $726 | $854 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $309 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 |
| Kansas City, MO | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.28 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 Kansas City, MO a 3-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 Kansas City, MO 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 Columbus
- 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 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 Kansas City
- New York to Kansas City
- Los Angeles to Kansas City
- Chicago to Kansas City
- Houston to Kansas City
- Phoenix to Kansas City
- Philadelphia to Kansas City
- San Diego to Kansas City
- Dallas to Kansas City
- Austin to Kansas City
- San Francisco to Kansas City
- Seattle to Kansas City
- Denver to Kansas City
- Nashville to Kansas City
- Atlanta to Kansas City
- Miami to Kansas City
- Boston to Kansas City
- Las Vegas to Kansas City
- Orlando to Kansas City
- Tampa to Kansas City
- Raleigh to Kansas City
- San Antonio to Kansas City
- Jacksonville to Kansas City
- Columbus to Kansas City
- Indianapolis to Kansas City
- Sacramento to Kansas City
- Oklahoma City to Kansas City
- Portland to Kansas City
- Louisville to Kansas City
- Memphis to Kansas City
- Baltimore to Kansas City
- Washington to Kansas City
- Milwaukee to Kansas City
- Albuquerque to Kansas City
- Tucson to Kansas City
- Salt Lake City to Kansas City
- Minneapolis to Kansas City
- Detroit to Kansas City
- Cleveland to Kansas City
- Pittsburgh to Kansas City
- St. Louis to Kansas City
- Cincinnati to Kansas City
- New Orleans to Kansas City
- Boise to Kansas City
- Richmond to Kansas City
- Birmingham to Kansas City
- Omaha to Kansas City
- Charleston to Kansas City
- El Paso to Kansas City