Moving truck gas cost from Richmond, VA to Dallas, TX

The drive is about 1,277 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $537 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Texas 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$537Likely $488 to $596

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$439save $98
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$604+$67
  • Towing a car$631+$95
  • Round trip$1,073+$537

1,277 miles at 9 MPG: 141.9 gallons, $0.42 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

RichmondDallas

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,277 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 23 hours
Gas price used
$3.782 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 1,277 miles, a gas price of $3.782 and a diesel price of $5.822 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1680$302$355
10 to 12 ft truck11116$439$517
15 to 17 ft truck9142$537$631
20 to 22 ft truck8160$604$710
26 ft truck7182$690$812
26 ft truck (diesel)8160$929$1,093

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $388 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
Dallas, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average

Gas runs about $0.16 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Most one-way rentals are returned near Dallas, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.

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 Dallas, TX a 3-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 Dallas, TX to Richmond, VA.