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Moving truck gas cost from Washington, DC to Memphis, TN

The drive is about 877 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $412 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Central 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$412Likely $375 to $458

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$337save $75
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$464+$52
  • Towing a car$485+$73
  • Round trip$824+$412

877 miles at 9 MPG: 97.4 gallons, $0.47 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

WashingtonMemphis

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
877 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 16 hours
Gas price used
$4.229 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 877 miles, a gas price of $4.229 and a diesel price of $6.430 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1655$232$273
10 to 12 ft truck1180$337$397
15 to 17 ft truck997$412$485
20 to 22 ft truck8110$464$545
26 ft truck7125$530$623
26 ft truck (diesel)8110$705$829

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $298 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
Washington, DC$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average
Memphis, TN$4.145$6.352Midwest average

Gas runs about $0.17 a gallon cheaper around Memphis, TN. Most one-way rentals are returned near Memphis, 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 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 Washington, DC.

More moves from Washington

More moves to Memphis