Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,048 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 | 66 | $275 | $323 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 95 | $400 | $470 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 116 | $488 | $575 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 131 | $550 | $647 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 150 | $628 | $739 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 131 | $837 | $984 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $353 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 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $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 Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI 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 Louisville
- Denver to Memphis
- Denver to Baltimore
- Denver to Washington
- 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 Milwaukee
- New York to Milwaukee
- Los Angeles to Milwaukee
- Chicago to Milwaukee
- Houston to Milwaukee
- Phoenix to Milwaukee
- Philadelphia to Milwaukee
- San Diego to Milwaukee
- Dallas to Milwaukee
- Austin to Milwaukee
- Charlotte to Milwaukee
- San Francisco to Milwaukee
- Seattle to Milwaukee
- Nashville to Milwaukee
- Atlanta to Milwaukee
- Miami to Milwaukee
- Boston to Milwaukee
- Las Vegas to Milwaukee
- Orlando to Milwaukee
- Tampa to Milwaukee
- Raleigh to Milwaukee
- San Antonio to Milwaukee
- Jacksonville to Milwaukee
- Columbus to Milwaukee
- Indianapolis to Milwaukee
- Sacramento to Milwaukee
- Oklahoma City to Milwaukee
- Portland to Milwaukee
- Louisville to Milwaukee
- Memphis to Milwaukee
- Baltimore to Milwaukee
- Washington to Milwaukee
- Albuquerque to Milwaukee
- Tucson to Milwaukee
- Kansas City to Milwaukee
- Salt Lake City to Milwaukee
- Minneapolis to Milwaukee
- Detroit to Milwaukee
- Cleveland to Milwaukee
- Pittsburgh to Milwaukee
- St. Louis to Milwaukee
- Cincinnati to Milwaukee
- New Orleans to Milwaukee
- Boise to Milwaukee
- Richmond to Milwaukee
- Birmingham to Milwaukee
- Omaha to Milwaukee
- Charleston to Milwaukee
- El Paso to Milwaukee