Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,330 miles, a gas price of $4.008 and a diesel price of $6.206 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 | 83 | $333 | $392 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 121 | $485 | $570 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 148 | $592 | $697 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 166 | $666 | $784 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 190 | $762 | $896 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 166 | $1,032 | $1,214 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $428 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 |
| Dallas, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
Gas runs about $0.61 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Most one-way rentals are returned near Dallas, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.
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 Dallas, TX 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 Dallas, TX 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 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 Boise
- Washington to Richmond
- Washington to Birmingham
- Washington to Omaha
- Washington to Charleston
- Washington to El Paso
More moves to Dallas
- New York to Dallas
- Los Angeles to Dallas
- Chicago to Dallas
- Houston to Dallas
- Phoenix to Dallas
- Philadelphia to Dallas
- San Diego to Dallas
- Austin to Dallas
- Charlotte to Dallas
- San Francisco to Dallas
- Seattle to Dallas
- Denver to Dallas
- Nashville to Dallas
- Atlanta to Dallas
- Miami to Dallas
- Boston to Dallas
- Las Vegas to Dallas
- Orlando to Dallas
- Tampa to Dallas
- Raleigh to Dallas
- San Antonio to Dallas
- Jacksonville to Dallas
- Columbus to Dallas
- Indianapolis to Dallas
- Sacramento to Dallas
- Oklahoma City to Dallas
- Portland to Dallas
- Louisville to Dallas
- Memphis to Dallas
- Baltimore to Dallas
- Milwaukee to Dallas
- Albuquerque to Dallas
- Tucson to Dallas
- Kansas City to Dallas
- Salt Lake City to Dallas
- Minneapolis to Dallas
- Detroit to Dallas
- Cleveland to Dallas
- Pittsburgh to Dallas
- St. Louis to Dallas
- Cincinnati to Dallas
- New Orleans to Dallas
- Boise to Dallas
- Richmond to Dallas
- Birmingham to Dallas
- Omaha to Dallas
- Charleston to Dallas
- El Paso to Dallas