Moving truck gas cost from Richmond, VA to Cincinnati, OH

The drive is about 519 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $228 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Ohio 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$228Likely $207 to $253

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$187save $41
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$257+$29
  • Towing a car$268+$40
  • Round trip$456+$228

519 miles at 9 MPG: 57.7 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

RichmondCincinnati

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
519 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 10 hours
Gas price used
$3.955 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 519 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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1632$128$151
10 to 12 ft truck1147$187$220
15 to 17 ft truck958$228$268
20 to 22 ft truck865$257$302
26 ft truck774$293$345
26 ft truck (diesel)865$392$461

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $165 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
Richmond, VA$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average
Cincinnati, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio average

Gas runs about $0.19 a gallon cheaper around Richmond, VA. Fill the tank before you leave Richmond 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 Richmond, VA to Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, OH to Richmond, VA.