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

The drive is about 1,264 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $582 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$582Likely $529 to $647

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$477save $106
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$655+$73
  • Towing a car$685+$103
  • Round trip$1,165+$582

1,264 miles at 9 MPG: 140.4 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ColumbusDenver

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,264 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 23 hours
Gas price used
$4.147 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,264 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 van1679$328$385
10 to 12 ft truck11115$477$561
15 to 17 ft truck9140$582$685
20 to 22 ft truck8158$655$771
26 ft truck7181$749$881
26 ft truck (diesel)8158$1,009$1,187

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $421 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
Denver, CO$4.244$6.422Denver average

Gas runs about $0.19 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 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 Columbus, OH.