Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,150 miles, a gas price of $4.229 and a diesel price of $6.430 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 | 72 | $304 | $358 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 105 | $442 | $520 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 128 | $540 | $636 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 144 | $608 | $715 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 164 | $695 | $817 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 144 | $924 | $1,087 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $391 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| Washington, DC | $4.312 | $6.508 | Central Atlantic average |
Gas runs about $0.17 a gallon cheaper around Omaha, NE. Fill the tank before you leave Omaha 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 Omaha, NE to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC to Omaha, NE.
More moves from Omaha
- Omaha to New York
- Omaha to Los Angeles
- Omaha to Chicago
- Omaha to Houston
- Omaha to Phoenix
- Omaha to Philadelphia
- Omaha to San Diego
- Omaha to Dallas
- Omaha to Austin
- Omaha to Charlotte
- Omaha to San Francisco
- Omaha to Seattle
- Omaha to Denver
- Omaha to Nashville
- Omaha to Atlanta
- Omaha to Miami
- Omaha to Boston
- Omaha to Las Vegas
- Omaha to Orlando
- Omaha to Tampa
- Omaha to Raleigh
- Omaha to San Antonio
- Omaha to Jacksonville
- Omaha to Columbus
- Omaha to Indianapolis
- Omaha to Sacramento
- Omaha to Oklahoma City
- Omaha to Portland
- Omaha to Louisville
- Omaha to Memphis
- Omaha to Baltimore
- Omaha to Milwaukee
- Omaha to Albuquerque
- Omaha to Tucson
- Omaha to Kansas City
- Omaha to Salt Lake City
- Omaha to Minneapolis
- Omaha to Detroit
- Omaha to Cleveland
- Omaha to Pittsburgh
- Omaha to St. Louis
- Omaha to Cincinnati
- Omaha to New Orleans
- Omaha to Boise
- Omaha to Richmond
- Omaha to Birmingham
- Omaha to Charleston
- Omaha to El Paso
More moves to Washington
- New York to Washington
- Los Angeles to Washington
- Chicago to Washington
- Houston to Washington
- Phoenix to Washington
- Philadelphia to Washington
- San Diego to Washington
- Dallas to Washington
- Austin to Washington
- Charlotte to Washington
- San Francisco to Washington
- Seattle to Washington
- Denver to Washington
- Nashville to Washington
- Atlanta to Washington
- Miami to Washington
- Boston to Washington
- Las Vegas to Washington
- Orlando to Washington
- Tampa to Washington
- Raleigh to Washington
- San Antonio to Washington
- Jacksonville to Washington
- Columbus to Washington
- Indianapolis to Washington
- Sacramento to Washington
- Oklahoma City to Washington
- Portland to Washington
- Louisville to Washington
- Memphis to Washington
- Baltimore to Washington
- Milwaukee to Washington
- Albuquerque to Washington
- Tucson to Washington
- Kansas City to Washington
- Salt Lake City to Washington
- Minneapolis to Washington
- Detroit to Washington
- Cleveland to Washington
- Pittsburgh to Washington
- St. Louis to Washington
- Cincinnati to Washington
- New Orleans to Washington
- Boise to Washington
- Richmond to Washington
- Birmingham to Washington
- Charleston to Washington
- El Paso to Washington