Moving truck gas cost from Columbus, OH to Memphis, TN

The drive is about 588 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $268 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Ohio and Midwest 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$268Likely $243 to $297

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$219save $49
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$301+$33
  • Towing a car$315+$47
  • Round trip$535+$268

588 miles at 9 MPG: 65.3 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ColumbusMemphis

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
588 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 11 hours
Gas price used
$4.097 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 588 miles, a gas price of $4.097 and a diesel price of $6.352 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1637$151$177
10 to 12 ft truck1153$219$258
15 to 17 ft truck965$268$315
20 to 22 ft truck874$301$354
26 ft truck784$344$405
26 ft truck (diesel)874$467$549

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $194 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
Memphis, TN$4.145$6.352Midwest average

Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.

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 Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH.