Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,084 miles, a gas price of $4.048 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 | 68 | $274 | $323 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 99 | $399 | $469 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 120 | $488 | $574 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 136 | $549 | $645 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 155 | $627 | $737 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 136 | $841 | $989 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $353 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 |
| New Orleans, LA | $3.784 | $5.903 | Gulf Coast average |
Gas runs about $0.53 a gallon cheaper around New Orleans, LA. Most one-way rentals are returned near New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, LA 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 Boise
- Washington to Richmond
- Washington to Birmingham
- Washington to Omaha
- Washington to Charleston
- Washington to El Paso
More moves to New Orleans
- New York to New Orleans
- Los Angeles to New Orleans
- Chicago to New Orleans
- Houston to New Orleans
- Phoenix to New Orleans
- Philadelphia to New Orleans
- San Diego to New Orleans
- Dallas to New Orleans
- Austin to New Orleans
- Charlotte to New Orleans
- San Francisco to New Orleans
- Seattle to New Orleans
- Denver to New Orleans
- Nashville to New Orleans
- Atlanta to New Orleans
- Miami to New Orleans
- Boston to New Orleans
- Las Vegas to New Orleans
- Orlando to New Orleans
- Tampa to New Orleans
- Raleigh to New Orleans
- San Antonio to New Orleans
- Jacksonville to New Orleans
- Columbus to New Orleans
- Indianapolis to New Orleans
- Sacramento to New Orleans
- Oklahoma City to New Orleans
- Portland to New Orleans
- Louisville to New Orleans
- Memphis to New Orleans
- Baltimore to New Orleans
- Milwaukee to New Orleans
- Albuquerque to New Orleans
- Tucson to New Orleans
- Kansas City to New Orleans
- Salt Lake City to New Orleans
- Minneapolis to New Orleans
- Detroit to New Orleans
- Cleveland to New Orleans
- Pittsburgh to New Orleans
- St. Louis to New Orleans
- Cincinnati to New Orleans
- Boise to New Orleans
- Richmond to New Orleans
- Birmingham to New Orleans
- Omaha to New Orleans
- Charleston to New Orleans
- El Paso to New Orleans