Moving truck gas cost from Kansas City, MO to Detroit, MI

The drive is about 765 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $352 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Midwest and Midwest 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$352Likely $320 to $391

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$288save $64
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$396+$44
  • Towing a car$414+$62
  • Round trip$705+$352

765 miles at 9 MPG: 85.0 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

Kansas CityDetroit

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
765 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 14 hours
Gas price used
$4.145 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 765 miles, a gas price of $4.145 and a diesel price of $6.352 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1648$198$233
10 to 12 ft truck1170$288$339
15 to 17 ft truck985$352$414
20 to 22 ft truck896$396$466
26 ft truck7109$453$533
26 ft truck (diesel)896$607$715

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $255 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
Kansas City, MO$4.145$6.352Midwest average
Detroit, MI$4.145$6.352Midwest 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 Detroit, MI 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 Detroit, MI to Kansas City, MO.