Moving truck gas cost from El Paso, TX to Columbus, OH

The drive is about 1,605 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $691 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Texas and Ohio 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$691Likely $629 to $768

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$566save $126
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$778+$86
  • Towing a car$813+$122
  • Round trip$1,383+$691

1,605 miles at 9 MPG: 178.3 gallons, $0.43 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

El PasoColumbus

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,605 miles
Driving days
4 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 29 hours
Gas price used
$3.877 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,605 miles, a gas price of $3.877 and a diesel price of $6.127 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van16100$389$458
10 to 12 ft truck11146$566$666
15 to 17 ft truck9178$691$813
20 to 22 ft truck8201$778$915
26 ft truck7229$889$1,046
26 ft truck (diesel)8201$1,229$1,446

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $500 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
El Paso, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average
Columbus, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio average

Gas runs about $0.35 a gallon cheaper around El Paso, TX. Fill the tank before you leave El Paso 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 El Paso, TX to Columbus, OH a 4-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 Columbus, OH to El Paso, TX.