Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 469 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%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 29 | $116 | $136 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 43 | $169 | $198 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 52 | $206 | $242 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 59 | $232 | $273 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 67 | $265 | $312 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 59 | $354 | $417 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $149 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Columbus, OH | $4.049 | $6.352 | Ohio 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 Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH to Raleigh, NC.
More moves from Raleigh
- Raleigh to New York
- Raleigh to Los Angeles
- Raleigh to Chicago
- Raleigh to Houston
- Raleigh to Phoenix
- Raleigh to Philadelphia
- Raleigh to San Diego
- Raleigh to Dallas
- Raleigh to Austin
- Raleigh to Charlotte
- Raleigh to San Francisco
- Raleigh to Seattle
- Raleigh to Denver
- Raleigh to Nashville
- Raleigh to Atlanta
- Raleigh to Miami
- Raleigh to Boston
- Raleigh to Las Vegas
- Raleigh to Orlando
- Raleigh to Tampa
- Raleigh to San Antonio
- Raleigh to Jacksonville
- Raleigh to Indianapolis
- Raleigh to Sacramento
- Raleigh to Oklahoma City
- Raleigh to Portland
- Raleigh to Louisville
- Raleigh to Memphis
- Raleigh to Baltimore
- Raleigh to Washington
- Raleigh to Milwaukee
- Raleigh to Albuquerque
- Raleigh to Tucson
- Raleigh to Kansas City
- Raleigh to Salt Lake City
- Raleigh to Minneapolis
- Raleigh to Detroit
- Raleigh to Cleveland
- Raleigh to Pittsburgh
- Raleigh to St. Louis
- Raleigh to Cincinnati
- Raleigh to New Orleans
- Raleigh to Boise
- Raleigh to Richmond
- Raleigh to Birmingham
- Raleigh to Omaha
- Raleigh to Charleston
- Raleigh to El Paso
More moves to Columbus
- New York to Columbus
- Los Angeles to Columbus
- Chicago to Columbus
- Houston to Columbus
- Phoenix to Columbus
- Philadelphia to Columbus
- San Diego to Columbus
- Dallas to Columbus
- Austin to Columbus
- Charlotte to Columbus
- San Francisco to Columbus
- Seattle to Columbus
- Denver to Columbus
- Nashville to Columbus
- Atlanta to Columbus
- Miami to Columbus
- Boston to Columbus
- Las Vegas to Columbus
- Orlando to Columbus
- Tampa to Columbus
- San Antonio to Columbus
- Jacksonville to Columbus
- Indianapolis to Columbus
- Sacramento to Columbus
- Oklahoma City to Columbus
- Portland to Columbus
- Louisville to Columbus
- Memphis to Columbus
- Baltimore to Columbus
- Washington to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Albuquerque to Columbus
- Tucson to Columbus
- Kansas City to Columbus
- Salt Lake City to Columbus
- Minneapolis to Columbus
- Detroit to Columbus
- Cleveland to Columbus
- Pittsburgh to Columbus
- St. Louis to Columbus
- Cincinnati to Columbus
- New Orleans to Columbus
- Boise to Columbus
- Richmond to Columbus
- Birmingham to Columbus
- Omaha to Columbus
- Charleston to Columbus
- El Paso to Columbus