Moving truck gas cost from Minneapolis, MN to Charleston, SC

The drive is about 1,292 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $577 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Minnesota and Lower 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$577Likely $525 to $641

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$472save $105
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$649+$72
  • Towing a car$679+$102
  • Round trip$1,154+$577

1,292 miles at 9 MPG: 143.6 gallons, $0.45 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

MinneapolisCharleston

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,292 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 25 hours
Gas price used
$4.020 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,292 miles, a gas price of $4.020 and a diesel price of $6.046 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1681$325$382
10 to 12 ft truck11117$472$555
15 to 17 ft truck9144$577$679
20 to 22 ft truck8162$649$764
26 ft truck7185$742$873
26 ft truck (diesel)8162$976$1,149

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $417 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
Minneapolis, MN$4.180$6.352Minnesota average
Charleston, SC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.32 a gallon cheaper around Charleston, SC. Most one-way rentals are returned near Charleston, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.

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 Minneapolis, MN to Charleston, SC a 3-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 Charleston, SC to Minneapolis, MN.