Moving truck gas cost from Columbus, OH to Baltimore, MD

The drive is about 420 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $195 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Ohio 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$195Likely $177 to $217

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$160save $35
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$220+$24
  • Towing a car$230+$34
  • Round trip$390+$195

420 miles at 9 MPG: 46.7 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ColumbusBaltimore

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
420 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 8 hours
Gas price used
$4.181 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 420 miles, a gas price of $4.181 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 van1626$110$129
10 to 12 ft truck1138$160$188
15 to 17 ft truck947$195$230
20 to 22 ft truck853$220$258
26 ft truck760$251$295
26 ft truck (diesel)853$338$397

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $141 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
Columbus, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio average
Baltimore, MD$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.26 a gallon cheaper around Columbus, OH. Fill the tank before you leave Columbus 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 Columbus, OH to Baltimore, MD a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Baltimore, MD to Columbus, OH.