Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,672 miles, a gas price of $4.052 and a diesel price of $6.081 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 | 105 | $423 | $498 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 152 | $616 | $725 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 186 | $753 | $886 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 209 | $847 | $996 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 239 | $968 | $1,139 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 209 | $1,271 | $1,495 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $544 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 |
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
Gas runs about $0.38 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 Denver, CO a 4-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 Denver, CO 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 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 Columbus
- 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 Denver
- New York to Denver
- Los Angeles to Denver
- Chicago to Denver
- Houston to Denver
- Phoenix to Denver
- Philadelphia to Denver
- San Diego to Denver
- Dallas to Denver
- Austin to Denver
- Charlotte to Denver
- San Francisco to Denver
- Seattle to Denver
- Nashville to Denver
- Atlanta to Denver
- Miami to Denver
- Boston to Denver
- Las Vegas to Denver
- Orlando to Denver
- Tampa to Denver
- Raleigh to Denver
- San Antonio to Denver
- Jacksonville to Denver
- Columbus to Denver
- Indianapolis to Denver
- Sacramento to Denver
- Oklahoma City to Denver
- Portland to Denver
- Louisville to Denver
- Memphis to Denver
- Baltimore to Denver
- Washington to Denver
- Milwaukee to Denver
- Albuquerque to Denver
- Tucson to Denver
- Kansas City to Denver
- Salt Lake City to Denver
- Minneapolis to Denver
- Detroit to Denver
- Cleveland to Denver
- Pittsburgh to Denver
- St. Louis to Denver
- Cincinnati to Denver
- New Orleans to Denver
- Boise to Denver
- Birmingham to Denver
- Omaha to Denver
- Charleston to Denver
- El Paso to Denver