Moving truck gas cost from Raleigh, NC to Cincinnati, OH

The drive is about 514 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $226 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic 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$226Likely $205 to $251

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$185save $41
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$254+$28
  • Towing a car$266+$40
  • Round trip$452+$226

514 miles at 9 MPG: 57.1 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

RaleighCincinnati

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
514 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 10 hours
Gas price used
$3.955 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 514 miles, a gas price of $3.955 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 van1632$127$149
10 to 12 ft truck1147$185$217
15 to 17 ft truck957$226$266
20 to 22 ft truck864$254$299
26 ft truck773$290$342
26 ft truck (diesel)864$388$457

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $163 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
Raleigh, NC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
Cincinnati, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio average

Gas runs about $0.19 a gallon cheaper around Raleigh, NC. Fill the tank before you leave Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC.