Moving truck gas cost from Columbus, OH to Milwaukee, WI

The drive is about 442 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $201 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$201Likely $183 to $224

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$165save $37
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$226+$25
  • Towing a car$237+$36
  • Round trip$402+$201

442 miles at 9 MPG: 49.1 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

ColumbusMilwaukee

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
442 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 9 hours
Gas price used
$4.097 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 442 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 van1628$113$133
10 to 12 ft truck1140$165$194
15 to 17 ft truck949$201$237
20 to 22 ft truck855$226$266
26 ft truck763$259$304
26 ft truck (diesel)855$351$413

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $146 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
Milwaukee, WI$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 Milwaukee, WI a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Milwaukee, WI to Columbus, OH.