Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 226 miles, a gas price of $4.281 and a diesel price of $6.508 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 | 14 | $60 | $71 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 21 | $88 | $103 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 25 | $108 | $126 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 28 | $121 | $142 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 32 | $138 | $163 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 28 | $184 | $216 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $78 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 York, NY | $4.249 | $6.508 | New York 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 Washington, DC to New York, NY a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See New York, NY to Washington, DC.
More moves from Washington
- Washington to Los Angeles
- Washington to Chicago
- Washington to Houston
- Washington to Phoenix
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- Washington to San Diego
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- Washington to Charlotte
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- 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
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- Washington to Louisville
- Washington to Memphis
- Washington to Baltimore
- Washington to Milwaukee
- Washington to Albuquerque
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- 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
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- Washington to Omaha
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More moves to New York
- Los Angeles to New York
- Chicago to New York
- Houston to New York
- Phoenix to New York
- Philadelphia to New York
- San Diego to New York
- Dallas to New York
- Austin to New York
- Charlotte to New York
- San Francisco to New York
- Seattle to New York
- Denver to New York
- Nashville to New York
- Atlanta to New York
- Miami to New York
- Boston to New York
- Las Vegas to New York
- Orlando to New York
- Tampa to New York
- Raleigh to New York
- San Antonio to New York
- Jacksonville to New York
- Columbus to New York
- Indianapolis to New York
- Sacramento to New York
- Oklahoma City to New York
- Portland to New York
- Louisville to New York
- Memphis to New York
- Baltimore to New York
- Milwaukee to New York
- Albuquerque to New York
- Tucson to New York
- Kansas City to New York
- Salt Lake City to New York
- Minneapolis to New York
- Detroit to New York
- Cleveland to New York
- Pittsburgh to New York
- St. Louis to New York
- Cincinnati to New York
- New Orleans to New York
- Boise to New York
- Richmond to New York
- Birmingham to New York
- Omaha to New York
- Charleston to New York
- El Paso to New York