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%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 55 | $222 | $261 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 81 | $322 | $379 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 98 | $394 | $463 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 111 | $443 | $521 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 127 | $507 | $596 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 111 | $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
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Milwaukee, WI | $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 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.
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 Louisville
- Raleigh to Memphis
- Raleigh to Baltimore
- Raleigh to Washington
- 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 Milwaukee
- New York to Milwaukee
- Los Angeles to Milwaukee
- Chicago to Milwaukee
- Houston to Milwaukee
- Phoenix to Milwaukee
- Philadelphia to Milwaukee
- San Diego to Milwaukee
- Dallas to Milwaukee
- Austin to Milwaukee
- Charlotte to Milwaukee
- San Francisco to Milwaukee
- Seattle to Milwaukee
- Denver to Milwaukee
- Nashville to Milwaukee
- Atlanta to Milwaukee
- Miami to Milwaukee
- Boston to Milwaukee
- Las Vegas to Milwaukee
- Orlando to Milwaukee
- Tampa to Milwaukee
- San Antonio to Milwaukee
- Jacksonville to Milwaukee
- Columbus to Milwaukee
- Indianapolis to Milwaukee
- Sacramento to Milwaukee
- Oklahoma City to Milwaukee
- Portland to Milwaukee
- Louisville to Milwaukee
- Memphis to Milwaukee
- Baltimore to Milwaukee
- Washington to Milwaukee
- Albuquerque to Milwaukee
- Tucson to Milwaukee
- Kansas City to Milwaukee
- Salt Lake City to Milwaukee
- Minneapolis to Milwaukee
- Detroit to Milwaukee
- Cleveland to Milwaukee
- Pittsburgh to Milwaukee
- St. Louis to Milwaukee
- Cincinnati to Milwaukee
- New Orleans to Milwaukee
- Boise to Milwaukee
- Richmond to Milwaukee
- Birmingham to Milwaukee
- Omaha to Milwaukee
- Charleston to Milwaukee
- El Paso to Milwaukee