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

The drive is about 555 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $245 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Cleveland and Lower Atlantic 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$245Likely $223 to $272

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$201save $45
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$276+$31
  • Towing a car$288+$43
  • Round trip$490+$245

555 miles at 9 MPG: 61.7 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ClevelandRaleigh

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
555 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 11 hours
Gas price used
$3.975 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 555 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 van1635$138$162
10 to 12 ft truck1150$201$236
15 to 17 ft truck962$245$288
20 to 22 ft truck869$276$324
26 ft truck779$315$371
26 ft truck (diesel)869$419$493

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $177 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
Cleveland, OH$4.090$6.352Cleveland average
Raleigh, NC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.23 a gallon cheaper around Raleigh, NC. Most one-way rentals are returned near Raleigh, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.

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 Cleveland, OH to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC to Cleveland, OH.