Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 533 miles, a gas price of $4.002 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 | 33 | $133 | $157 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 48 | $194 | $228 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 59 | $237 | $279 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 67 | $267 | $314 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 76 | $305 | $358 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 67 | $403 | $474 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $171 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 |
| Louisville, KY | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.28 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 Louisville, KY 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 Louisville, KY 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 Columbus
- Raleigh to Indianapolis
- Raleigh to Sacramento
- Raleigh to Oklahoma City
- Raleigh to Portland
- 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 Louisville
- New York to Louisville
- Los Angeles to Louisville
- Chicago to Louisville
- Houston to Louisville
- Phoenix to Louisville
- Philadelphia to Louisville
- San Diego to Louisville
- Dallas to Louisville
- Austin to Louisville
- Charlotte to Louisville
- San Francisco to Louisville
- Seattle to Louisville
- Denver to Louisville
- Nashville to Louisville
- Atlanta to Louisville
- Miami to Louisville
- Boston to Louisville
- Las Vegas to Louisville
- Orlando to Louisville
- Tampa to Louisville
- San Antonio to Louisville
- Jacksonville to Louisville
- Columbus to Louisville
- Indianapolis to Louisville
- Sacramento to Louisville
- Oklahoma City to Louisville
- Portland to Louisville
- Memphis to Louisville
- Baltimore to Louisville
- Washington to Louisville
- Milwaukee to Louisville
- Albuquerque to Louisville
- Tucson to Louisville
- Kansas City to Louisville
- Salt Lake City to Louisville
- Minneapolis to Louisville
- Detroit to Louisville
- Cleveland to Louisville
- Pittsburgh to Louisville
- St. Louis to Louisville
- Cincinnati to Louisville
- New Orleans to Louisville
- Boise to Louisville
- Richmond to Louisville
- Birmingham to Louisville
- Omaha to Louisville
- Charleston to Louisville
- El Paso to Louisville