Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,209 miles, a gas price of $3.782 and a diesel price of $5.822 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 | 76 | $286 | $336 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 110 | $416 | $489 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 134 | $508 | $598 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 151 | $572 | $672 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 173 | $653 | $768 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 151 | $880 | $1,035 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $367 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 |
| Dallas, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
Gas runs about $0.16 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Most one-way rentals are returned near Dallas, 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 Raleigh, NC to Dallas, TX 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 Dallas, TX 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 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
More moves to Dallas
- New York to Dallas
- Los Angeles to Dallas
- Chicago to Dallas
- Houston to Dallas
- Phoenix to Dallas
- Philadelphia to Dallas
- San Diego to Dallas
- Austin to Dallas
- Charlotte to Dallas
- San Francisco to Dallas
- Seattle to Dallas
- Denver to Dallas
- Nashville to Dallas
- Atlanta to Dallas
- Miami to Dallas
- Boston to Dallas
- Las Vegas to Dallas
- Orlando to Dallas
- Tampa to Dallas