Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 649 miles, a gas price of $3.920 and a diesel price of $5.740 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 | 41 | $159 | $187 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 59 | $231 | $272 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 72 | $283 | $333 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 81 | $318 | $374 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 93 | $363 | $428 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 81 | $466 | $548 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $204 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa, FL | $3.981 | $5.740 | Florida average |
| Raleigh, NC | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
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 Tampa, FL to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC to Tampa, FL.
More moves from Tampa
- Tampa to New York
- Tampa to Los Angeles
- Tampa to Chicago
- Tampa to Houston
- Tampa to Phoenix
- Tampa to Philadelphia
- Tampa to San Diego
- Tampa to Dallas
- Tampa to Austin
- Tampa to Charlotte
- Tampa to San Francisco
- Tampa to Seattle
- Tampa to Denver
- Tampa to Nashville
- Tampa to Atlanta
- Tampa to Miami
- Tampa to Boston
- Tampa to Las Vegas
- Tampa to Orlando
More moves to Raleigh
- New York to Raleigh
- Los Angeles to Raleigh
- Chicago to Raleigh
- Houston to Raleigh
- Phoenix to Raleigh
- Philadelphia to Raleigh
- San Diego to Raleigh
- Dallas to Raleigh
- Austin to Raleigh
- Charlotte to Raleigh
- San Francisco to Raleigh
- Seattle to Raleigh
- Denver to Raleigh
- Nashville to Raleigh
- Atlanta to Raleigh
- Miami to Raleigh
- Boston to Raleigh
- Las Vegas to Raleigh
- Orlando to Raleigh