Moving truck gas cost from Raleigh, NC to Milwaukee, WI

The drive is about 886 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $394 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Midwest 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$394Likely $358 to $438

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$322save $72
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$443+$49
  • Towing a car$463+$70
  • Round trip$788+$394

886 miles at 9 MPG: 98.4 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

RaleighMilwaukee

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
886 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 17 hours
Gas price used
$4.002 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 886 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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1655$222$261
10 to 12 ft truck1181$322$379
15 to 17 ft truck998$394$463
20 to 22 ft truck8111$443$521
26 ft truck7127$507$596
26 ft truck (diesel)8111$670$788

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $285 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
Milwaukee, WI$4.145$6.352Midwest 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 Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI to Raleigh, NC.