Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,111 miles, a gas price of $4.195 and a diesel price of $6.387 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 69 | $291 | $343 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 101 | $424 | $498 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 123 | $518 | $609 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 139 | $583 | $685 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 159 | $666 | $783 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 139 | $887 | $1,044 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $375 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.
Fuel prices at each end of the move
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
| Louisville, KY | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest 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 Denver, CO to Louisville, KY 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 Louisville, KY to Denver, CO.
More moves from Denver
- Denver to New York
- Denver to Los Angeles
- Denver to Chicago
- Denver to Houston
- Denver to Phoenix
- Denver to Philadelphia
- Denver to San Diego
- Denver to Dallas
- Denver to Austin
- Denver to Charlotte
- Denver to San Francisco
- Denver to Seattle
- Denver to Nashville
- Denver to Atlanta
- Denver to Miami
- Denver to Boston
- Denver to Las Vegas
- Denver to Orlando
- Denver to Tampa
- Denver to Raleigh
- Denver to San Antonio
- Denver to Jacksonville
- Denver to Columbus
- Denver to Indianapolis
- Denver to Sacramento
- Denver to Oklahoma City
- Denver to Portland
- Denver to Memphis
- Denver to Baltimore
- Denver to Washington
- Denver to Milwaukee
- Denver to Albuquerque
- Denver to Tucson
- Denver to Kansas City
- Denver to Salt Lake City
- Denver to Minneapolis
- Denver to Detroit
- Denver to Cleveland
- Denver to Pittsburgh
- Denver to St. Louis
- Denver to Cincinnati
- Denver to New Orleans
- Denver to Boise
- Denver to Richmond
- Denver to Birmingham
- Denver to Omaha
- Denver to Charleston
- Denver to El Paso
More moves to Louisville
- New York to Louisville
- Los Angeles to Louisville
- Chicago to Louisville
- Houston to Louisville
- Phoenix to Louisville
- Philadelphia to Louisville
- San Diego to Louisville
- Dallas to Louisville
- Austin to Louisville
- Charlotte to Louisville
- San Francisco to Louisville
- Seattle to Louisville
- Nashville to Louisville
- Atlanta to Louisville
- Miami to Louisville
- Boston to Louisville
- Las Vegas to Louisville
- Orlando to Louisville
- Tampa to Louisville
- Raleigh to Louisville
- San Antonio to Louisville
- Jacksonville to Louisville
- Columbus to Louisville
- Indianapolis to Louisville
- Sacramento to Louisville
- Oklahoma City to Louisville
- Portland to Louisville
- Memphis to Louisville
- Baltimore to Louisville
- Washington to Louisville
- Milwaukee to Louisville
- Albuquerque to Louisville
- Tucson to Louisville
- Kansas City to Louisville
- Salt Lake City to Louisville
- Minneapolis to Louisville
- Detroit to Louisville
- Cleveland to Louisville
- Pittsburgh to Louisville
- St. Louis to Louisville
- Cincinnati to Louisville
- New Orleans to Louisville
- Boise to Louisville
- Richmond to Louisville
- Birmingham to Louisville
- Omaha to Louisville
- Charleston to Louisville
- El Paso to Louisville