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Moving truck gas cost from Houston, TX to Washington, DC

The drive is about 1,409 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $628 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Houston and Central Atlantic 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$628Likely $571 to $698

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$514save $114
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$706+$78
  • Towing a car$739+$111
  • Round trip$1,256+$628

1,409 miles at 9 MPG: 156.6 gallons, $0.45 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

HoustonWashington

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,409 miles
Driving days
4 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 26 hours
Gas price used
$4.011 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,409 miles, a gas price of $4.011 and a diesel price of $6.206 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1688$353$416
10 to 12 ft truck11128$514$604
15 to 17 ft truck9157$628$739
20 to 22 ft truck8176$706$831
26 ft truck7201$807$950
26 ft truck (diesel)8176$1,093$1,286

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $454 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
Houston, TX$3.710$5.903Houston average
Washington, DC$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.60 a gallon cheaper around Houston, TX. Fill the tank before you leave Houston 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 Houston, TX to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC to Houston, TX.

More moves from Houston

More moves to Washington