Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 2,379 miles, a gas price of $4.390 and a diesel price of $6.465 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 | 149 | $653 | $768 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 216 | $949 | $1,117 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 264 | $1,160 | $1,365 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 297 | $1,305 | $1,536 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 340 | $1,492 | $1,755 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 297 | $1,923 | $2,262 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $839 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $4.312 | $6.508 | Central Atlantic average |
| Boise, ID | $4.468 | $6.422 | Rocky Mountain average |
Gas runs about $0.16 a gallon cheaper around Washington, DC. Fill the tank before you leave Washington 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 Washington, DC to Boise, ID a 6-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 Boise, ID to Washington, DC.
More moves from Washington
- Washington to New York
- Washington to Los Angeles
- Washington to Chicago
- Washington to Houston
- Washington to Phoenix
- Washington to Philadelphia
- Washington to San Diego
- Washington to Dallas
- Washington to Austin
- Washington to Charlotte
- Washington to San Francisco
- Washington to Seattle
- Washington to Denver
- Washington to Nashville
- Washington to Atlanta
- Washington to Miami
- Washington to Boston
- Washington to Las Vegas
- Washington to Orlando
- Washington to Tampa
- Washington to Raleigh
- Washington to San Antonio
- Washington to Jacksonville
- Washington to Columbus
- Washington to Indianapolis
- Washington to Sacramento
- Washington to Oklahoma City
- Washington to Portland
- Washington to Louisville
- Washington to Memphis
- Washington to Baltimore
- Washington to Milwaukee
- Washington to Albuquerque
- Washington to Tucson
- Washington to Kansas City
- Washington to Salt Lake City
- Washington to Minneapolis
- Washington to Detroit
- Washington to Cleveland
- Washington to Pittsburgh
- Washington to St. Louis
- Washington to Cincinnati
- Washington to New Orleans
- Washington to Richmond
- Washington to Birmingham
- Washington to Omaha
- Washington to Charleston
- Washington to El Paso
More moves to Boise
- New York to Boise
- Los Angeles to Boise
- Chicago to Boise
- Houston to Boise
- Phoenix to Boise
- Philadelphia to Boise
- San Diego to Boise
- Dallas to Boise
- Austin to Boise
- Charlotte to Boise
- San Francisco to Boise
- Seattle to Boise
- Denver to Boise
- Nashville to Boise
- Atlanta to Boise
- Miami to Boise
- Boston to Boise
- Las Vegas to Boise
- Orlando to Boise
- Tampa to Boise
- Raleigh to Boise
- San Antonio to Boise
- Jacksonville to Boise
- Columbus to Boise
- Indianapolis to Boise
- Sacramento to Boise
- Oklahoma City to Boise
- Portland to Boise
- Louisville to Boise
- Memphis to Boise
- Baltimore to Boise
- Milwaukee to Boise
- Albuquerque to Boise
- Tucson to Boise
- Kansas City to Boise
- Salt Lake City to Boise
- Minneapolis to Boise
- Detroit to Boise
- Cleveland to Boise
- Pittsburgh to Boise
- St. Louis to Boise
- Cincinnati to Boise
- New Orleans to Boise
- Richmond to Boise
- Birmingham to Boise
- Omaha to Boise
- Charleston to Boise
- El Paso to Boise