Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 369 miles, a gas price of $4.201 and a diesel price of $6.430 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 | 23 | $97 | $114 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 34 | $141 | $166 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 41 | $172 | $203 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 46 | $194 | $228 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 53 | $221 | $261 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 46 | $297 | $349 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $125 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $4.090 | $6.352 | Cleveland average |
| Washington, DC | $4.312 | $6.508 | Central Atlantic average |
Gas runs about $0.22 a gallon cheaper around Cleveland, OH. Fill the tank before you leave Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Washington, DC a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Washington, DC to Cleveland, OH.
More moves from Cleveland
- Cleveland to New York
- Cleveland to Los Angeles
- Cleveland to Chicago
- Cleveland to Houston
- Cleveland to Phoenix
- Cleveland to Philadelphia
- Cleveland to San Diego
- Cleveland to Dallas
- Cleveland to Austin
- Cleveland to Charlotte
- Cleveland to San Francisco
- Cleveland to Seattle
- Cleveland to Denver
- Cleveland to Nashville
- Cleveland to Atlanta
- Cleveland to Miami
- Cleveland to Boston
- Cleveland to Las Vegas
- Cleveland to Orlando
- Cleveland to Tampa
- Cleveland to Raleigh
- Cleveland to San Antonio
- Cleveland to Jacksonville
- Cleveland to Columbus
- Cleveland to Indianapolis
- Cleveland to Sacramento
- Cleveland to Oklahoma City
- Cleveland to Portland
- Cleveland to Louisville
- Cleveland to Memphis
- Cleveland to Baltimore
- Cleveland to Milwaukee
- Cleveland to Albuquerque
- Cleveland to Tucson
- Cleveland to Kansas City
- Cleveland to Salt Lake City
- Cleveland to Minneapolis
- Cleveland to Detroit
- Cleveland to Pittsburgh
- Cleveland to St. Louis
- Cleveland to Cincinnati
- Cleveland to New Orleans
- Cleveland to Boise
- Cleveland to Richmond
- Cleveland to Birmingham
- Cleveland to Omaha
- Cleveland to Charleston
- Cleveland to El Paso
More moves to Washington
- New York to Washington
- Los Angeles to Washington
- Chicago to Washington
- Houston to Washington
- Phoenix to Washington
- Philadelphia to Washington
- San Diego to Washington
- Dallas to Washington
- Austin to Washington
- Charlotte to Washington
- San Francisco to Washington
- Seattle to Washington
- Denver to Washington
- Nashville to Washington
- Atlanta to Washington
- Miami to Washington
- Boston to Washington
- Las Vegas to Washington
- Orlando to Washington
- Tampa to Washington
- Raleigh to Washington
- San Antonio to Washington
- Jacksonville to Washington
- Columbus to Washington
- Indianapolis to Washington
- Sacramento to Washington
- Oklahoma City to Washington
- Portland to Washington
- Louisville to Washington
- Memphis to Washington
- Baltimore to Washington
- Milwaukee to Washington
- Albuquerque to Washington
- Tucson to Washington
- Kansas City to Washington
- Salt Lake City to Washington
- Minneapolis to Washington
- Detroit to Washington
- Pittsburgh to Washington
- St. Louis to Washington
- Cincinnati to Washington
- New Orleans to Washington
- Boise to Washington
- Richmond to Washington
- Birmingham to Washington
- Omaha to Washington
- Charleston to Washington
- El Paso to Washington