Moving truck gas cost from San Antonio, TX to Charlotte, NC

The drive is about 1,230 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $517 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Texas and Lower Atlantic 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$517Likely $470 to $574

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$423save $94
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$581+$65
  • Towing a car$608+$91
  • Round trip$1,034+$517

1,230 miles at 9 MPG: 136.7 gallons, $0.42 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

San AntonioCharlotte

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
1,230 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 1,230 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 van1677$291$342
10 to 12 ft truck11112$423$498
15 to 17 ft truck9137$517$608
20 to 22 ft truck8154$581$684
26 ft truck7176$665$782
26 ft truck (diesel)8154$895$1,053

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $374 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
San Antonio, TX$3.704$5.903Texas average
Charlotte, NC$3.860$5.740Lower Atlantic average

Gas runs about $0.16 a gallon cheaper around San Antonio, TX. Fill the tank before you leave San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX to Charlotte, NC 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 Charlotte, NC to San Antonio, TX.