Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 475 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%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 30 | $117 | $138 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 43 | $171 | $201 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 53 | $209 | $246 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 59 | $235 | $276 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 68 | $268 | $316 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 59 | $359 | $422 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $151 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Columbus, OH | $4.049 | $6.352 | Ohio 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 Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH to Richmond, VA.
More moves from Richmond
- Richmond to New York
- Richmond to Los Angeles
- Richmond to Chicago
- Richmond to Houston
- Richmond to Phoenix
- Richmond to Philadelphia
- Richmond to San Diego
- Richmond to Dallas
- Richmond to Austin
- Richmond to Charlotte
- Richmond to San Francisco
- Richmond to Seattle
- Richmond to Denver
- Richmond to Nashville
- Richmond to Atlanta
- Richmond to Miami
- Richmond to Boston
- Richmond to Las Vegas
- Richmond to Orlando
- Richmond to Tampa
- Richmond to Raleigh
- Richmond to San Antonio
- Richmond to Jacksonville
- Richmond to Indianapolis
- Richmond to Sacramento
- Richmond to Oklahoma City
- Richmond to Portland
- Richmond to Louisville
- Richmond to Memphis
- Richmond to Baltimore
- Richmond to Washington
- Richmond to Milwaukee
- Richmond to Albuquerque
- Richmond to Tucson
- Richmond to Kansas City
- Richmond to Salt Lake City
- Richmond to Minneapolis
- Richmond to Detroit
- Richmond to Cleveland
- Richmond to Pittsburgh
- Richmond to St. Louis
- Richmond to Cincinnati
- Richmond to New Orleans
- Richmond to Boise
- Richmond to Birmingham
- Richmond to Omaha
- Richmond to Charleston
- Richmond to El Paso
More moves to Columbus
- New York to Columbus
- Los Angeles to Columbus
- Chicago to Columbus
- Houston to Columbus
- Phoenix to Columbus
- Philadelphia to Columbus
- San Diego to Columbus
- Dallas to Columbus
- Austin to Columbus
- Charlotte to Columbus
- San Francisco to Columbus
- Seattle to Columbus
- Denver to Columbus
- Nashville to Columbus
- Atlanta to Columbus
- Miami to Columbus
- Boston to Columbus
- Las Vegas to Columbus
- Orlando to Columbus
- Tampa to Columbus
- Raleigh to Columbus
- San Antonio to Columbus
- Jacksonville to Columbus
- Indianapolis to Columbus
- Sacramento to Columbus
- Oklahoma City to Columbus
- Portland to Columbus
- Louisville to Columbus
- Memphis to Columbus
- Baltimore to Columbus
- Washington to Columbus
- Milwaukee to Columbus
- Albuquerque to Columbus
- Tucson to Columbus
- Kansas City to Columbus
- Salt Lake City to Columbus
- Minneapolis to Columbus
- Detroit to Columbus
- Cleveland to Columbus
- Pittsburgh to Columbus
- St. Louis to Columbus
- Cincinnati to Columbus
- New Orleans to Columbus
- Boise to Columbus
- Birmingham to Columbus
- Omaha to Columbus
- Charleston to Columbus
- El Paso to Columbus