Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 658 miles, a gas price of $4.097 and a diesel price of $6.352 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 | 41 | $168 | $198 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 60 | $245 | $288 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 73 | $300 | $352 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 82 | $337 | $396 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 94 | $385 | $453 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 82 | $522 | $615 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $217 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| Columbus, OH | $4.049 | $6.352 | Ohio 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 Kansas City, MO to Columbus, OH a 2-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 Kansas City, MO.
More moves from Kansas City
- Kansas City to New York
- Kansas City to Los Angeles
- Kansas City to Chicago
- Kansas City to Houston
- Kansas City to Phoenix
- Kansas City to Philadelphia
- Kansas City to San Diego
- Kansas City to Dallas
- Kansas City to Austin
- Kansas City to Charlotte
- Kansas City to San Francisco
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- Kansas City to Denver
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- Kansas City to Atlanta
- Kansas City to Miami
- Kansas City to Boston
- Kansas City to Las Vegas
- Kansas City to Orlando
- Kansas City to Tampa
- Kansas City to Raleigh
- Kansas City to San Antonio
- Kansas City to Jacksonville
- Kansas City to Indianapolis
- Kansas City to Sacramento
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- Kansas City to Louisville
- Kansas City to Memphis
- Kansas City to Baltimore
- Kansas City to Washington
- Kansas City to Milwaukee
- Kansas City to Albuquerque
- Kansas City to Tucson
- Kansas City to Salt Lake City
- Kansas City to Minneapolis
- Kansas City to Detroit
- Kansas City to Cleveland
- Kansas City to Pittsburgh
- Kansas City to St. Louis
- Kansas City to Cincinnati
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More moves to Columbus
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- Los Angeles to Columbus
- Chicago to Columbus
- Houston to Columbus
- Phoenix to Columbus
- Philadelphia to Columbus
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- San Francisco to Columbus
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- Denver to Columbus
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- Atlanta to Columbus
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- Boston to Columbus
- Las Vegas to Columbus
- Orlando to Columbus
- Tampa to Columbus
- Raleigh to Columbus
- San Antonio to Columbus
- Jacksonville to Columbus
- Indianapolis to Columbus
- Sacramento to Columbus
- Oklahoma City to Columbus
- Portland to Columbus
- Louisville to Columbus
- Memphis to Columbus
- Baltimore to Columbus
- Washington to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Albuquerque to Columbus
- Tucson to Columbus
- Salt Lake City to Columbus
- Minneapolis to Columbus
- Detroit to Columbus
- Cleveland to Columbus
- Pittsburgh to Columbus
- St. Louis to Columbus
- Cincinnati to Columbus
- New Orleans to Columbus
- Boise to Columbus
- Richmond to Columbus
- Birmingham to Columbus
- Omaha to Columbus
- Charleston to Columbus
- El Paso to Columbus