Moving truck gas cost from Richmond, VA to Memphis, TN

The drive is about 825 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $367 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Lower Atlantic and Midwest 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$367Likely $334 to $408

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$300save $67
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$413+$46
  • Towing a car$432+$65
  • Round trip$734+$367

825 miles at 9 MPG: 91.7 gallons, $0.44 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

RichmondMemphis

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
825 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 15 hours
Gas price used
$4.002 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 825 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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1652$206$243
10 to 12 ft truck1175$300$353
15 to 17 ft truck992$367$432
20 to 22 ft truck8103$413$486
26 ft truck7118$472$555
26 ft truck (diesel)8103$623$734

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $265 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
Memphis, TN$4.145$6.352Midwest average

Gas runs about $0.28 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 Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN to Richmond, VA.