Moving truck gas cost from Memphis, TN to Cincinnati, OH

The drive is about 482 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $219 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Midwest 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$219Likely $199 to $244

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$180save $40
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$247+$27
  • Towing a car$258+$39
  • Round trip$439+$219

482 miles at 9 MPG: 53.6 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

MemphisCincinnati

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
482 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 9 hours
Gas price used
$4.097 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 482 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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1630$123$145
10 to 12 ft truck1144$180$211
15 to 17 ft truck954$219$258
20 to 22 ft truck860$247$290
26 ft truck769$282$332
26 ft truck (diesel)860$383$450

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $159 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
Memphis, TN$4.145$6.352Midwest average
Cincinnati, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio 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 Memphis, TN to Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, OH to Memphis, TN.