Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 714 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 | 45 | $179 | $210 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 65 | $260 | $306 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 79 | $317 | $374 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 89 | $357 | $420 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 102 | $408 | $480 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 89 | $540 | $635 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $230 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 |
| St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, 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 Kansas City
- Charlotte to Salt Lake City
- Charlotte to Minneapolis
- Charlotte to Detroit
- Charlotte to Cleveland
- Charlotte to Pittsburgh
- 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 St. Louis
- New York to St. Louis
- Los Angeles to St. Louis
- Chicago to St. Louis
- Houston to St. Louis
- Phoenix to St. Louis
- Philadelphia to St. Louis
- San Diego to St. Louis
- Dallas to St. Louis
- Austin to St. Louis
- San Francisco to St. Louis
- Seattle to St. Louis
- Denver to St. Louis
- Nashville to St. Louis
- Atlanta to St. Louis
- Miami to St. Louis
- Boston to St. Louis
- Las Vegas to St. Louis
- Orlando to St. Louis
- Tampa to St. Louis
- Raleigh to St. Louis
- San Antonio to St. Louis
- Jacksonville to St. Louis
- Columbus to St. Louis
- Indianapolis to St. Louis
- Sacramento to St. Louis
- Oklahoma City to St. Louis
- Portland to St. Louis
- Louisville to St. Louis
- Memphis to St. Louis
- Baltimore to St. Louis
- Washington to St. Louis
- Milwaukee to St. Louis
- Albuquerque to St. Louis
- Tucson to St. Louis
- Kansas City to St. Louis
- Salt Lake City to St. Louis
- Minneapolis to St. Louis
- Detroit to St. Louis
- Cleveland to St. Louis
- Pittsburgh to St. Louis
- Cincinnati to St. Louis
- New Orleans to St. Louis
- Boise to St. Louis
- Richmond to St. Louis
- Birmingham to St. Louis
- Omaha to St. Louis
- Charleston to St. Louis
- El Paso to St. Louis