PumpTally

Moving truck gas cost from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

The drive is about 1,005 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $500 at this week’s prices.

DenverChicago

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Driving distance
1,005 miles
Time behind the wheel
About 18 hours at car speeds
Driving days in a truck
3 days at 450 miles a day
Gas price used
$4.475 a gallon

Adjust the numbers for your move

miles
Trip
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

$/ gallon

Starts halfway between Denver and Chicago prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026. Change it to what you pay.

Fuel cost$499.71
Gallons111.7
Per mile$0.50

1,005 miles at 9 MPG

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,005 miles, a gas price of $4.475 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 van1663$281$331
10 to 12 ft truck1191$409$481
15 to 17 ft truck9112$500$588
20 to 22 ft truck8126$562$661
26 ft truck7144$642$756
26 ft truck (diesel)8126$802$944

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $361 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
Denver, CO$4.244$6.422Denver average
Chicago, IL$4.705$6.352Chicago average

Gas runs about $0.46 a gallon cheaper around Denver, CO. Fill the tank before you leave Denver 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL to Denver, CO.