Moving truck gas cost from Cleveland, OH to Washington, DC

The drive is about 369 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $172 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Cleveland and Central 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$172Likely $157 to $191

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$141save $31
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$194+$22
  • Towing a car$203+$30
  • Round trip$344+$172

369 miles at 9 MPG: 41.0 gallons, $0.47 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ClevelandWashington

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
369 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 7 hours
Gas price used
$4.201 a gallon

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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1623$97$114
10 to 12 ft truck1134$141$166
15 to 17 ft truck941$172$203
20 to 22 ft truck846$194$228
26 ft truck753$221$261
26 ft truck (diesel)846$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

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Cleveland, OH$4.090$6.352Cleveland average
Washington, DC$4.312$6.508Central 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.