Moving truck gas cost from Cincinnati, OH to Denver, CO

The drive is about 1,195 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $551 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Ohio and Denver 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$551Likely $501 to $612

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$451save $100
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$619+$69
  • Towing a car$648+$97
  • Round trip$1,101+$551

1,195 miles at 9 MPG: 132.8 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

CincinnatiDenver

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,195 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 21 hours
Gas price used
$4.147 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,195 miles, a gas price of $4.147 and a diesel price of $6.387 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1675$310$364
10 to 12 ft truck11109$451$530
15 to 17 ft truck9133$551$648
20 to 22 ft truck8149$619$729
26 ft truck7171$708$833
26 ft truck (diesel)8149$954$1,122

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $398 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
Cincinnati, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio average
Denver, CO$4.244$6.422Denver average

Gas runs about $0.19 a gallon cheaper around Cincinnati, OH. Fill the tank before you leave Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, OH to Denver, CO 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 Denver, CO to Cincinnati, OH.